The Kalimpong district administration on Wednesday announced the reopening of NH10, the principal highway that connects the hill district and the neighbouring state of Sikkim with the rest of the country, after a gap of three days.

On Wednesday, Kalimpong district magistrate Balasubramanian T. said the administration had received requests from different transport organisations for the highway's reopening. On Sunday, he had announced a halt in traffic on NH10 as boulders started falling intermittently on the road at Likhuveer after several bouts of rain.

Vehicles were instructed to take alternative routes to reach Kalimpong and Sikkim.

“There shall be no restriction regarding movement of small vehicles along NH 10. Buses will move through NH-10 from 6am to 6pm every day daily until further order. However, single-lane traffic is to be maintained at Likhuveer and Rabi Jhora,” read an order.

It also mentioned that vehicles carrying goods would move from Chitrey to Kalimpong town via Algarah, Lava, Gorubathan to Siliguri and vice-versa from 9pm to 6am.

“Goods vehicles will be allowed to move through Reshi, Pedong, Algarah, Lava and Gorubathan to Siliguri and vice-versa round the clock,” said a source.

The road was damaged at Rabi Jhora and Likhuveer because of the rainfall. This made the administration issue an order on March 24 for the temporary restriction or diversion of traffic on NH-10 to repair the damaged areas. On March 21, traffic was halted on the same route as boulders started slipping. The restriction was lifted on March 22.

The situation has made Darjeeling MP Raju Bista send a letter to Union minister for road, transport and highways Nitin Gadkari.

“I informed the minister that because of rainfall, there had been a landslide and the administration closed down NH10. However, no attempts were made to carry out repairs. This is causing massive problems for commuters, especially students, tourists and patients. Prices of consumables have increased in the hills,” said Bista.

In his letter to Gadkari, Bista said NH10 should be transferred from the state public works department's NH division to the National Highways Authority of India or the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.

“It is necessary to ensure the critical highway's timely repair and proper development,” said the MP.