Sikkim: NH-10 to Remain Closed for Repairs, Disrupting Travel Plans
The closure is expected to significantly impact travelers, including tourists and locals, who rely on NH-10 to connect Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok, with Siliguri in West Bengal.
GANGTOK– National Highway 10 (NH-10), the vital lifeline connecting Sikkim to West Bengal and the rest of India, will be closed for nine hours daily on May 15, 17, and 19, 2025, for urgent repair and maintenance work.
The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) announced that the 52-km Sevoke-Rangpo stretch, which runs parallel to the Teesta River, will be shut from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on these dates to address damaged sections and bolster protections against frequent landslides, especially ahead of the monsoon season.
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The closure is expected to significantly impact travelers, including tourists and locals, who rely on NH-10 to connect Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok, with Siliguri in West Bengal. The highway, recently handed over to NHIDCL from West Bengal’s Public Works Department, has faced recurring disruptions due to landslides and cave-ins, particularly during heavy rains.
Authorities have advised using alternative routes, such as NH717A via Bagrakote or the Military Highway through Gorubathan, though these detours may double travel time, with the usual two-hour journey from Siliguri to Kalimpong potentially taking four hours or more.
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Kalimpong District Magistrate Balasubramanian T urged travelers to plan their trips carefully, stating, “The staggered closures are for safety and long-term road resilience. We recommend alternative routes to avoid congestion.” Heavy goods vehicles will face additional restrictions, with only NHIDCL and Indian Railway Construction International Ltd (IRCON) vehicles permitted under special circumstances during the closure periods.
The repair work follows recent incidents, including a mudslide in North Sikkim and earlier landslides in April and September 2024, which underscored NH-10’s vulnerability.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has emphasized the need for robust infrastructure, with NHIDCL tasked to explore permanent solutions, including alternative alignments for the highway. Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba hailed the NHIDCL’s involvement, noting, “This is a milestone for Sikkim’s connectivity and tourism sector.”
Travelers are advised to stay updated via NHIDCL notifications and local authorities, as the monsoon season, expected in three to four weeks, could further complicate travel on this critical route.
