Thursday, Aug 01, 2024 00:45 [IST]
Last Update: Wednesday, Jul 31, 2024 19:10 [IST]
Protective & mitigation works on
NH 10 have been sanctioned by Ministry: Gadkari
GANGTOK,: DT Lepcha, the lone Rajya Sabha MP from Sikkim, has been raising
pressing issues and concerns of Sikkim during the ongoing Union Budget Session
in the Parliament.
On
Wednesday, Union Road Transport & Highways minister Nitin Gadkari gave a
written reply in the Rajya Sabha to the question posed by Lepcha on NH 10, the
lifeline of Sikkim.
The Rajya
Sabha MP had asked the Union minister on what measures are being taken by the
Centre to address the frequent blockages of NH 10 and to ensure its smooth
functioning during the monsoon.
The NH 10
partially opened for light vehicles only on Wednesday after a month-long
closure due to landslides at various stretches on the Sevoke-Rangpo stretch of
Kalimpong district.
In his
reply, Gadkari stated that the Sevoke-Rangpo stretch (52 km) of NH 10 is
subjected to frequent disruptions due to landslides and valley side subsidence
in monsoons, especially in the aftermath of the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood
which happened on October 4, 2023.
“To
mitigate the problems of road blockage, slope protection/landslide mitigation
works have been sanctioned by the Ministry on NH-10 for an amount of Rs. 394
crore for 4 works covering 19 locations in Financial Year 2023-24 and Rs. 125
crore for 2 works covering 16 locations in Financial Year 2024-25. Out of 6
sanctioned works, one work with sanctioned cost of Rs. 68.49 crore has been
awarded and rest are at bidding stage,” the Union minister replied.
“Additionally,
bids have also been invited for appointment of Project Management Consultancy
for preparation of Detailed Project Report for works and upgradation in Sevoke
and Rangpo section of NH-10 including measures for permanent solution,” said
the Union minister.
