GANGTOK: In light of recent visuals depicting the Teesta River’s overflow onto nearby roads, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay has called for the nearly 50-kilometer road stretch from Sevoke in West Bengal to the Rangpo border in Sikkim to be designated as a National Highway. Currently, this crucial lifeline for Sikkim is managed by the West Bengal government.
Visiting the border town of Melli, which lies within the 50 km road stretch and along the banks of the Teesta River, CM Golay observed significant damages caused by recent flash floods and the October 3 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF).
Addressing the media in Melli, CM Golay emphasized the need for the road to be classified as a National Highway and maintained by the central government. He explained, “The road from Sevoke near Siliguri to the Rangpo border in Sikkim, although part of NH 10, is maintained by the West Bengal State government. While the funding is provided by the Union government, Sikkim does not receive the necessary support under state management.”
In contrast, the road from Rangpo to Gangtok is managed as a National Highway, not a State Highway.
Golay mentioned that he presented this demand to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 12, during the swearing-in ceremony of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
He said, “I informed Home Minister Amit Shah about the cloudburst and landslides affecting Sikkim, and how the highway along the Teesta River banks gets damaged every monsoon. This road is vital for Sikkim and the Indian Army, given Sikkim’s strategic border position. Heavy vehicles struggle on these precarious roads, causing a rise in goods prices due to detours through Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts.”
The Union Government has responded by dispatching the Roads and Transport Ministry’s Director General to assess the highway’s condition. “The Director General is here to evaluate the entire highway along the Teesta River,” Golay stated.
On June 14, West Bengal government officials held a meeting with locals, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration representatives, NHPC, and PWD officials to discuss constructing protective walls along the Teesta River’s populated areas and elevating roads above flood levels. The proposal aims to raise the road height from Rabi Jhora to Teesta Road to prevent future flooding. The Kalimpong district administration has requested PWD to commence this work promptly.
Meanwhile, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista visited Teesta Bazar in Darjeeling district to assess the damages.
He posted on social media, “I have formally requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority, to intervene, highlighting the West Bengal Government’s failure to protect lives and livelihoods along the Teesta River. Given the region’s strategic significance, I have also requested a Central Team to assess and address the damages urgently.”
Bista further shared, “The Central Government has allocated Rs 500 crores for immediate repair and restoration of NH-10. Additionally, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared under scientific and terrain experts’ supervision for rebuilding and expanding NH-10 by an additional 10 meters, with a budget of Rs 2000 crores.”
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