Landslide on Siliguri’s link with Hills after rain, traffic diverted
Times of India | 25 March 2024
Siliguri: Traffic came to a complete halt on NH-31, which connects Siliguri with Dooars, and NH-10, which links Siliguri with Kalimpong and Sikkim, after rain triggered landslide on Saturday. Following the damage, the administration has diverted and restricted traffic along the NH-10 from Sunday onwards till further notice.
Landslides in Rabi Jhora and Likhu blocked traffic on NH-10, affecting the links to Kalimpong and Sikkim since Saturday. There was report of one injury: one person, a minor, was injured after she was hit by falling boulders on Saturday afternoon at Likhuveer, Kalimpong.
Vehicles going to Siliguri, as well as those going uphill from Siliguri, now have to take a 90-minute detour.
“We have proposed alternative routes for passengers,” said Balasubramanian T, the district magistrate of Kalimpong, adding, “Work on repairing damage on NH 10 is under process. The stretch at Rabi Jhora to Likhuveer, along NH-10, has been damaged because of recent heavy rainfall, forcing us to order temporary restrictions and diversion of vehicular movement along the highway.” There was a serpentine queue of traffic along the NH-10 from Saturday afternoon to Sunday. Several tourists alleged there was no traffic control at the affected places, fearing they would miss flights. Taxis were also charging extra to take the alternative routes, many said.
“We have a flight to catch from Bagdogra but have remained stuck for the past two hours. No one is following traffic rules in the absence of officials,” said Dennis, a tourist from Delhi.
Another tourist, Savita, said: “Taxi drivers are charging us Rs 150 per kilometre when we are asking them to take the alternative route.”