Thursday, Apr 09, 2026 21:45 [IST]
Last Update: Wednesday, Apr 08, 2026 16:17 [IST]
GANGTOK,: The High Court of Sikkim has directed the Ministry of Road Transport
and Highways (MoRTH) to take an early decision regarding the maintenance and
takeover of the dilapidated Rangpo–Rorathang road stretch, citing growing
safety and economic concerns.
Hearing
a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on April 2, a division bench comprising
Chief Justice A. MuhamedMustaque and Justice Meenakshi MadanRai observed that
the poor condition and non-maintenance of the Rangpo–Rorathang stretch, along
with portions of the Rongli–Dzuluk Silk Route, has become a matter of serious
public concern.
During
the hearing, the court noted that the road is presently maintained by the
Border Roads Organisation (BRO). However, the Ministry of Defence and MoRTH had
reportedly decided in 2023 that the road would be taken over by the National
Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
The
court was informed that NHIDCL has not yet assumed maintenance responsibilities
as the road has not been formally notified as a National Highway under the
National Highways Act, 1956.
It
was further submitted that MoRTH had directed NHIDCL to conduct a
Techno-Economic Feasibility Study (TEFS), and the feasibility report containing
various alignment options has already been submitted to the Ministry.
Observing
the delay in the matter, the High Court stated that unless the stretch is
officially notified as a National Highway, NHIDCL would not be in a position to
undertake maintenance work.
It
is appropriate that MoRTH involve and take earliest decision in this regard so
as to ensure that the stretch get maintenance and any other issues related to
the road are addressed by NHIDCL, said the division bench.
In
such circumstances, there shall be a direction to MoRTH to take an appropriate
decision at the earliest, said the High Court of Sikkim.
The
matter has been listed for further hearing after four weeks, with the next date
fixed for May 5.
SIKKIM
EXPRESS had earlier this year in February published a report highlight that the
condition of Rangpo-Rorathang road, a crucial route not only for local
residents but also for security forces, has become extremely poor. Not only
during the monsoon season, but even in the dry months, commuters and local
residents are facing serious difficulties while travelling this route.
In
particular, along the nearly 12-kilometer stretch from Rangpo to Rorathang,
three sections of the road have deteriorated severely, resembling large
pothole-ridden patches.
Rangpo
is the main gateway to eastern and northern districts of Sikkim, and is
connected to rest of nation by the iconic AtalSetu Bridge. Immediately after
reaching Rangpo town, the main NH 10 highway continue towards Gangtok while a
right detour road leads to Rorathang and upwards towards the border regions in
East Sikkim.
It
is this road stretch between Rangpo town and the Rorathang Bridge, vehicular
movement is facing difficulties due to poor road conditions, worsened by past
landslides and land subsidence.
