Maintenance, upgradation of NH-10 in Sikkim to be handed over NHAI/ NHIDCL soon

A meeting has been scheduled on July 8 under the Chairmanship of the Secretary, NHAI in New Delhi to discuss the handing over of the highway

Good news seems to be in the offing for the people of Sikkim who have been facing immense hardships and difficulties as National Highway 10, the lifeline of the state, continues to remain cut off and is often damaged due to rains, floods and landslides as the state is prone to natural calamities.

The highway would soon be handed over to a Central government body like the National Highway Authority of India or the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHDCIL), a fully owned company of the Government of India for maintenance and upgradation.

A meeting has been scheduled on July 8 under the Chairmanship of the Secretary, NHAI in New Delhi to discuss the handing over of the highway. The meeting will be attended by officials of concerned government departments of Sikkim and West Bengal, including PWD, the Water Resources Department, Railways, NHPC, and NHIDCL. Sikkim PWD Secretary Dadul Bhutia and Chief Engineer (NH) KC Sharma will also attend the meeting.

Today is the 10th day and the highway continues to be shut as there has been landslides in at least four locations. Vehicles carrying essential commodities for Sikkim are having to take a longer route via Lava in West Bengal resulting in an escalation in transportation costs and prices of vegetables and essentials. It is taking more than double the time to reach Sikkim.

The condition of the national highway was raised by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadakri during his recent New Delhi visit. The issue was also raised by Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba in the House recently.

Also Read : Students’ future hangs in balance as NH 10 in Sikkim remains cut off

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