New Delhi: The lifeline to the Himalayan state of Sikkim is in peril, and its lone Lok Sabha MP, Indra Hang Subba, has sounded the alarm in the national capital. In a crucial meeting with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on August 1, the MP presented a detailed memorandum calling for immediate and robust action to mitigate the relentless threat of floods and landslides on National Highway 10. This critical road, the sole artery connecting Sikkim to the rest of the country, has been repeatedly battered by the forces of nature, leaving commuters and communities in a precarious situation.
Subba highlighted the particularly fragile condition of the NH-10 stretch that runs alongside the Teesta River in West Bengal’s Kalimpong district. He brought to the Minister’s notice how the devastating flash flood of October 2023 dramatically altered the river’s course, leading to a dangerously raised riverbed due to the massive accumulation of silt and debris. This has made the highway, especially the section between Sevoke and Melli, highly susceptible to frequent inundation, disrupting traffic and endangering lives. The MP stressed the urgent need for technical assessments, reinforced embankments, and enhanced drainage systems to address these immediate threats.
Beyond the immediate fixes, Subba also proposed a comprehensive, long-term strategy for flood management. This includes ‘river training’ measures and a coordinated approach with hydrological agencies to better anticipate and manage the Teesta’s behaviour. In a forward-thinking move, he also suggested the construction of an alternative greenfield highway along the opposite bank of the river to bypass the most vulnerable zones. Until that major project is realised, the MP recommended the construction of temporary elevated corridors to ensure the state’s connectivity remains uninterrupted, even during the harshest monsoon seasons. Following the meeting, a statement from the MP’s office confirmed that Minister Gadkari has instructed his ministry officials to take prompt and decisive action on the critical issues raised by Subba, offering a glimmer of hope for the beleaguered highway and the people it serves.
Read More: Meghalaya’s Grassroots Music Takes Delhi by Storm in a Fusion of Folk and Modern Rhythms