Centre transfers NH 10 to NHIDCL

Region’s major concern has been addressed, says Sikkim & Darjeeling MPs

November 5: NH 10, the principal route connecting Sikkim and Kalimpong with Siliguri, has now come under the entire control of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL).

The Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways issued an official gazette dated October 29 directing the NHIDCL to take over the maintenance and development of the 52.10 km Sevoke-Rangpo stretch of NH 10.

Earlier, this Sevoke-Rangpo stretch was maintained by the Public Works Department, West Bengal government. The Rangpo-Gangtok NH 10 stretch spanning 32 km is already under the NHIDCL maintenance.

With this transfer, the NHIDCL will take over the 84.10 km stretch of NH 10 up to Sevoke, a demand persistently made by the Sikkim government and the Darjeeling BJP MP.

‘A crucial milestone in securing stable highway for Sikkim’

Chief Minister PS Golay had strongly placed this demand with the Central government and Union ministers as Sikkim faced severe connectivity issues following prolonged closure of the NH 10 during this monsoon. Frequent landslides and road subsidence, especially along the Rangpo-Sevoke stretch, brought Sikkim’s only highway connection to a standstill for weeks at a time.

“The successful transfer of NH10’s management to NHIDCL is a testament to the Chief Minister’s relentless dedication and effective leadership. With steadfast support from MP Lok Sabha Indra Hang Subba and Roads & Bridges minister NB Dahal, this achievement marks a crucial milestone in securing a stable and accessible highway for Sikkim,” said SKM spokesperson Yougan Tamang in a press statement.

Similarly, Indra Hang Subba, the Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim, welcomed the transfer of the NH 10 stretch of Rangpo-Sevoke from West Bengal PWD to the NHIDCL, as notified in a Gazette Notification by the Government of India. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Highways minister Nitin Gadkari for fulfilling this long-awaited demand for the people and Government of Sikkim.

Indra Hang shared that, as directed by the Chief Minister, he had been strongly taking up the demand of transfer of the NH 10 management to a Central agency like NHIDCL from the Public Works Department of the West Bengal government. He had submitted repeated memorandums to the Union ministers in New Delhi for transfer of NH 10 to NHIDCL and had made it his top priority upon being elected as the Sikkim’s Lok Sabha MP earlier this year.

“The transfer of the 52.10 km stretch of Rangpo-Sevoke stretch on NH 10 to NHIDCL is a much-needed action from the Union government. This is another clear example of the strong relationship that the Government of Sikkim under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay has established with the Central government leadership,” said Indra Hang.

The Lok Sabha MP added that with the entire highway now coming under NHIDCL, people of Sikkim will certainly benefit and be assured of timely repairs, maintenance and restoration of the NH 10 under the Central agency. Our tourism sector, which was hampered this season by the highway issues, will greatly benefit from this transfer, he added.

At the same time, the Lok Sabha MP urged the people to be patient and not to expect overnight results in improvement of the NH 10 upon its transfer to the Central agency.

“We express our strong hopes that the NHIDCL and its officials will repose the faith that the people and government of Sikkim have shown in them regarding NH 10 maintenance. The highway, as everyone knows, is in a vulnerable condition and prone to frequent closures. The NHIDCL will require some time to come into action and I request the people to have some patience and not expect immediate results”.

“With the expertise and resources available to NHIDCL, we are hopeful that NH 10 will soon become more resilient to natural disruptions, ensuring smoother travel for both residents and tourists,” said Indra Hang.

SKM spokesperson Yougan Tamang expressed that the NH 10 transfer to NHIDCL will undoubtedly improve the quality of life for Sikkim’s residents besides securing a strategic route vital to the region’s national security. Under Chief Minister Golay’s leadership, Sikkim continues to progress towards a future where robust infrastructure underpins the state’s resilience and prosperity, he said.

‘Landmark moment for region’s connectivity’

Darjeeling Lok Sabha MP Raju Bista has stated the transfer of NH 10 Sevoke-Rangpo stretch to NHIDCL was a landmark moment for Sikkim and Kalimpong-Darjeeling region.

“This is a landmark moment, which will ensure that the people from our Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Sikkim region will benefit due to the central agency NHIDCL taking care of this critical NH-10 infrastructure. With this we can ensure a timely repair, maintenance and expansion of NH-10, which will benefit the local people, students, tourists, trade, and especially our driver community,” he stated in a press release.

Bista had also actively pressed for transfer of NH 10 to NHIDCL by making repeated representations with the Union Road, Transport and Highways minister.

“I realized a long time ago that the West Bengal PWD lacks the expertise and financial resources to keep an important highway connecting the border regions of Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Dooars and Sikkim to the rest of India. I have said time and again that the West Bengal PWD should hand over the portion of NH-10 they are controlling to NHIDCL, so that the people from our region too can get access to better roads. Finally, a major concern of our region is being addressed,” said Bista.