Fresh landslide snaps Siliguri-Sikkim road link

A fresh landslide at the same vulnerable stretch of national highway 10 has once again brought traffic to a standstill between Siliguri and Sikkim, disrupting crucial road connectivity for the second consecutive day.

On Tuesday, heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides and caused the Teesta river to overflow, breaching the highway at several locations. Although restoration efforts had temporarily reopened the route, a renewed slide between 11 Mile and 12 Mile near Mamkhola late Wednesday forced its closure once again.

Advertisement

Traffic on the Jorethang–Melli route was also disrupted after debris blocked parts of the road. While clearance operations are underway at both sites, officials have yet to confirm when full traffic flow will resume.

In the interim, NH-10 from Teesta to Darjeeling via Ravijhora has been opened temporarily to allow movement towards Kalimpong. Travel operators have advised commuters to stay alert and plan their journeys accordingly.

A demand was raised in Parliament for alternate highway to Darjeeling today. A formal demand for the construction of an alternative highway connecting Darjeeling to Siliguri via Balason was raised in Parliament on Wednesday by Darjeeling MP Raju Bista.

It was pointed out that Darjeeling, despite being one of India’s premier hill tourism destinations, is increasingly facing serious accessibility challenges. The existing National Highway 110 (formerly NH-55), constructed during the British era, was said to be heavily overburdened, carrying over 15,000 vehicles daily—more than twice its designed capacity. As a result, frequent traffic congestion during peak hours and tourist seasons has been causing significant inconvenience to residents, students, patients, daily commuters, and tourists.

The Parliament was informed that to ease this burden, the development of an alternate route via Balason should be prioritised. The proposed highway is expected to decongest NH-110 and improve connectivity for remote rural regions, including Kurseong, Mirik, Sonada, Rangbull, Dhotrey-Pussumbeng, Sukhia Pokhari, and Pokhrebong valley, potentially unlocking new economic avenues.

In light of Darjeeling’s sensitive terrain, the introduction of ropeway systems under the Parvatmala scheme was also recommended. Proposed connections include Ghoom–Darjeeling, Darjeeling–Bijanbari, Delo–Kalimpong, Kalimpong–Relli, and Chitrey. These were described as sustainable alternatives that could ease road pressure while enriching the tourist experience.

“Darjeeling must reclaim its legacy as a world-class tourism destination,” MP Bista said, expressing confidence that with Central and State government support, these initiatives would create a more accessible and economically vibrant region.