The Kalimpong district administration has decided to restrict the movement of all vehicles on NH10 for 48 hours from May 6 morning to repair a landslide-prone stretch of the highway.

NH10 is considered the lifeline of Kalimpong and the neighbouring state of Sikkim.

According to administrative sources, the state public works department (PWD) will carry out the repairs between Gail Khola and Rabi Jhora, which is around 45km from here.

Kalimpong district magistrate Balasubramanian T. who issued an order on Friday mentioning the halt in traffic said officials of the state PWD (NHIX division) had requested the same for the repairs. The restriction, he said, will be in force till the morning of May 8.

Since the third week of March, this is the fourth time the administration has temporarily halted traffic on this stretch of the highway.

“As there have been recurring incidents of landslides and the fall of boulders and rubble on the highway, we are carrying out maintenance and repair works regularly.
A proposal was also sent to the Union ministry of road transport in April to take
necessary measures for the permanent restoration. For temporary works, the road has to be closed for 48 hours and that is what the administration will do,” said a source in the state PWD.

Because of the restriction, vehicles bound for Kalimpong and Sikkim from Siliguri
and vice-versa will have to take turnaround routes.

“A vehicle will have to cover around 70km extra to reach Kalimpong or places like Gangtok and Namchi,” said a source.