Restrictions at NH 10 for repair works at 20th Mile from July 11 to 13

DARJEELING, : The NH10, the main route connecting Sikkim and Kalimpong to Siliguri, will remain closed at 20th Mile for five hours every morning from July 11 to July 13 to facilitate emergency repair work on the stretch near Bardang along Singtam-Rangpo stretch.

Frequent landslides have been occurring near Bardang on NH10, around 30 km from Gangtok between Rangpo and Singtam. Another landslide on Tuesday saw debris fall onto the highway, disrupting traffic for several hours.

In an order issued on July 7, the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) stated that NH10 will remain closed from July 11 to July 13.

The order states that due to "anticipated congestion and safety considerations of vehicles plying on the NH section on account of ongoing emergent works, traffic movement for all classes of vehicles shall be regulated with intermittent disruption" during the three-day period. Accordingly, traffic will be halted at 20th Mile from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. each day.

It further stated that during the closure, the alternate highway, NH717A via Rangpo-Rorathang-Pakyong-Ranipool, will remain open for all classes of vehicles. For light motor vehicles, the Duga-Pendam Road connecting Singtam and Rangpo will also remain open.

With NH10 witnessing frequent closures during the monsoon due to landslides at various locations, the Kalimpong District Police on Monday also launched an app to provide real-time updates on the highway's condition. The app provides information on the status of NH10 from the Rangpo Atal Bridge to Seti Jhora, including details of road blockades and the approximate time required for clearance, making it easier for commuters to plan their journey.

The app is available for download on the Google Play Store. The web version is available on the NH10 Status portal.