Light vehicles started moving along NH10 on Wednesday after a month, much to the relief of residents of Sikkim, Kalimpong, and neighbouring areas as the direct road connectivity was restored with Siliguri.

A major stretch of the highway has closed since June 30 because of landslides and cave-ins in some locations of NH10, triggered by the heavy downpour. Since then, all vehicles bound for Sikkim and Kalimpong from Siliguri and vice-versa have been taking turnaround routes and travelling an additional distance of 70km to reach
these places.

On Tuesday, Balasubramanian T, the district magistrate of Kalimpong, issued an order, mentioning that the highway will remain open for small vehicles from 6 am to 6 pm. The decision was taken in consultation with the state PWD which is still carrying out repair and restoration works on the road.

“Light vehicles have started moving from today. In five stretches, vehicles will move in single plank as the repair works are in progress,” said an official of PWD.

The heavy vehicles, however, will continue to run through alternative roads like the Gorubathan-Lava-Algara route, until the repair is complete, sources said.

The resumption of direct connectivity to Sikkim and Kalimpong after a month has brought smiles back to the faces of shop owners in Siliguri. Over the past month, they have suffered losses as people from the hills have hardly travelled here and visited
their shops.

Bapi Saha, the secretary of Siliguri Bidhan Market Byabsayee Samiti – Bidhan Market is the largest retail hub in the city – said the disruption in traffic movement along NH-10 has affected their business.

“Due to the closure, we have lost around 60 per cent of our daily business,” said Saha.

Toy train

The regular toy train service of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, will remain suspended till August 15, officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway said
on Wednesday.

“The Darjeeling district administration has requested us to suspend the service, keeping in view the current condition of NH-110. Initially, we had suspended the service till July 31 and today, we have extended it till August 15,” said Priyanshu, the director of DHR.

The toy train service between Kurseong and Darjeeling and the eight joy ride services between Darjeeling and Ghoom will be operational, he said.