NHIDCL presents short & long term solutions for NH-10

DARJEELING, : Darjeeling MP Raju Bista has maintained that in a review meeting held with the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), they provided him with short and long term solutions for National Highway 10.

The highway which is the principle route connecting Kalimpong and Sikkim to the plains is proving to be a problem with it remaining closed most of the time due to landslides in different parts of the stretch.

In a press release on Thursday, Bista said, “Today, I held a review meeting with the senior central officials of the NHIDCL who are visiting our region to take a detailed survey of the NH-10, and determine the best way to address the problems.”

Bista maintained that the team will also be visiting NH-717A and take stock of the ongoing constructions, and the issues that have emerged there. This highway starts from Bagrakote and ends at Sikkim via Kalimpong.

Taking credit for the visiting team, Bista said, “On the 20th of August I had presented my NH 10 field visit report to Minister for Road Transport and Highways, NitinGadkari. I am most grateful to the minister for sending a high-level team to visit NH-10.”

“At the meeting today, the Project Management Consultant (PMC) presented their version of the short-term and long-term solutions,” he added.

The Darjeeling MP said that the short-term solutions included erosion control measure, stabilization of landslide prone areas, construction of viaducts (elevated highway), expansion of NH-10 in some portions and tunneling in some places. He said the long term measures that were suggested by the PMC in the meeting were including a new alignment of the NH-10, including construction of tunnels to overcome the landslide problems.

“I have requested for expedited decision-making, to ensure that the planning and tendering processes are completed in monsoon season itself. This is necessary to ensure that work begins as soon as the rain stops, and the work in critical areas can be completed by March, before the next rain season,”Bista said while adding that he made it clear that the prolonged road closures and traffic disruptions that were experienced this year should be avoided at all costs.

“The inconvenience caused to the people of our region was unacceptable, and NHIDCL must take proactive steps to avoid any repeat of such situations,” said Bista.