Kalimpong,23rd Nov

National Highway (NH) 10 commuters heave a sigh of relief after the repairing work along the road surface in damaged spots commenced

today. NH 10 is termed as the lifeline of Kalimpong and land locked hilly state, Sikkim.

It is to be noted here that this year as monsoon struck the commuters were having a harrowing time to take the highway through Kalimpong and Sikkim.

The most damaged area from 0 - 4.5 kms starting from Coronation Bridge to Basua to Kalijhora , Swetijhora ,Bhuichaley, Lohapul, 27th Mile and Likubeer had no Bitumen, thus carpeting along those places has started.

Speaking to media persons, Executive Engineer of PWD Roads NH Division, Mr Uttam Pradhan said,“We have started carpeting NH10 in the areas which needed immediate attention.The most damage and troublesome spot includes Basua, Setijhoda, Hanuman Jhoda and Likuveer.Most of the patches along these areas were in need of carpeting.”

Meanwhile, Pradhan informed that a 35 crore project has been sanctioned for NH10 after which the tender procedure has started.

“The stretch from 0kms to 4.5kms and at 14-28 kms, works of repairing, surfacing, drainage,modifying 18 existing narrow culvert and putting crass barrier along with mastic roads in market areas at Lohapul, 27 mile will fall under the project”, he informed.

Meanwhile, the detail survey along NH 10 from 0kms to 52kms is underway

by Kolkata based company. Mr Pradhan has said that a plan of constructing NH 10 in a form of two lane roadway with paved shoulders

has been taken by the department. As learnt, the company will submit a report in the conclusion and then a DPR will be send to Ministry of Roads and Transport for sanction.(SNS)