Sikkim consistently pressing Centre for transferring NH 10 to NHIDCL: Indra Hang

BIJOY GURUNG

GANGTOK,: Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba on Saturday said that Sikkim government is consistently pressing the Centre for transferring the entire NH 10 to NHIDCL or any other Central agency.

The NH 10 is the principal route connecting Sikkim to Siliguri. While the Sikkim stretch of the NH 10 is maintained by NHIDCL, the highway stretch falling under Kalimpong district comes under West Bengal PWD.

Since June 10, with the onset of monsoons, the NH 10 has faced frequently blockages following road subsidence and landslides in the Kalimpong stretch. The highway at present remains closed since September 26 due to landslides and flooding at multiple locations. People are taking alternative routes that add more hours and hardships to their journey.

Speaking to the media here, the Lok Sabha MP said that Chief Minister PS Golay and the Sikkim government has repeatedly taken up the NH 10 issue with the Centre. “We have requested the Centre to transfer the NH 10 to any Central agency and we have received positive assurances on this. It should be transferred to the NHIDCL shortly as apprised by the concerned Union minister,” he said.

Indra Hang has also regularly raised the NH 10 issue in the Lok Sabha and the Union ministries, highlighting the highway’s importance for Sikkim and national security. He maintained that the demand should not be taken as a conflict between Sikkim and West Bengal governments.

“The demand to transfer NH 10 to NHIDCL is related to an inter-State highway and it is also important for defence forces, we should take it seriously in terms of national security. So whenever NH 10 is disturbed, we can speak directly to the Centre. It is not a confrontation issue between two States. This is not a matter of confrontation between Sikkim and Bengal. NH 10 is more important to Sikkim and for national security. They (Centre) have assured us to transfer the highway to NHIDCL shortly and we are following it up,” said Indra Hang. He added that the Sikkim government is also strongly pushing for an alternative highway for Sikkim.

“The State government has submitted a proposal to the concerned Ministry for an alternative road from Singtam to Melli. We have also submitted the proposal for realignment of NH 10 which is vulnerable at many stretches. We have requested the Centre that the highway can be constructed on other side of the Teesta River to avoid the vulnerable points and to have a stable highway along with short tunnels and bridges,” said the Lok Sabha MP.

The Lok Sabha MP had recently met the Director General of the BRO regarding restoration of roads within Sikkim that are still fragile or blocked since the last October Teesta River flash flood. The BRO looks after the North Sikkim highway and other roads leading to the Indo-China borders.

“We are at the end of this monsoon season and the dry winter season is coming. We have requested the BRO to make full use of the dry season and double their men and machinery resources to restore the roads,” he said.