Saturday, Feb 15, 2025 08:45 [IST]
Last Update: Friday, Feb 14, 2025 16:38 [IST]
GANGTOK, : Multiple works for upgrading NH-10 to facilitate smooth traffic
movement between Sikkim and Siliguri are being undertaken by the Ministry of
Road Transport & Highways.
Union
Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said: “Government has
taken up various works for upgradation of NH-10 to ease the traffic movement
from Siliguri to Gangtok.”
The
Union Minister was giving a written reply in the Lok Sabha on February 13
following questions raised by Indra Hang Subba, Lok Sabha MP, Sikkim.
The
Sikkim Lok Sabha MP had wanted the Centre to share with the people of Sikkim
about its plans to upgrade NH-10, the principal route connecting Sikkim with
Siliguri and beyond.
In
his response, the Union Minister outlined five major initiatives currently
underway to strengthen and expand NH-10.
The
works are 4/6 laning work from Balason Bridge (Siliguri) to Sevoke Army
Cantonment; Detailed Project Report (DPR) for 4-laning of stretch from Sevoke
Army Cantonment to Coronation Bridge (Sevoke); Project Management Consultancy
for widening to 2-lane with construction of paved shoulders from Sevoke to
Rangpo; and preparation of DPR for widening to 2 lane with construction of
paved shoulders from Rangpo to Ranipool along with Performance Based
Maintenance Contract from Ranipool to Gangtok.
NHIDCL,
a Central undertaking, is responsible for maintaining and upgrading the entire
NH-10 from Sevoke to Gangtok.
The
Sikkim Lok Sabha MPexpressed his gratitude to the Union
Government and the Road Transport & Highways Ministry for prioritizing road
connectivity requirement of Sikkim and its people. He attributed the attention
given to Sikkim’s connectivity need by the Union government to strong
relationship established by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay with the
Central leadership.
“We
are grateful to the Union Government for taking measures to strengthen and
upgrade NH-10 as road connectivity is fundamental for our State’s development
and progress. We are confident that these works, upon completion, will hugely
benefit our State, particularly in tourism sector and infrastructural
development,” said Indra Hang.
The
total length of national highways in Sikkim is about 709 km.
