Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 3, 2025, Kolkata : The National Highway 10 (NH-10), the vital lifeline connecting West Bengal to Sikkim via Kalimpong, will remain closed for vehicular movement in two phases this month due to emergency road strengthening works along the Sevoke–Rangpo stretch. The closure will be enforced on May 9, 10, 11, and again on May 13, 14, and 15, 2025, as per an official notification from the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
The highway will also be shut to all types of vehicles during the following time slots each day throughout the closure period:
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5:00 AM to 7:00 AM
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8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
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11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
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2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
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5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Heavy vehicles, including trucks and goods carriers, will not be allowed on the route at any time during the entire closure period. Only NHIDCL and IRCON project vehicles involved in the construction work will be permitted access to the affected stretch when necessary.
This traffic regulation has been imposed to facilitate urgent slope protection, landslide mitigation, and valley-side restoration works at vulnerable locations damaged during the 2023 flash floods and the prolonged 2024 monsoon season, which left the highway extensively degraded. The repair works aim to ensure long-term safety and resilience of the Sevoke–Rangpo corridor.
Following the October 2024 transfer of NH-10’s administrative control from the West Bengal Public Works Department to NHIDCL, large-scale infrastructure restoration has been undertaken across the route.
Traffic management during the closure will be overseen by the district administration. Meanwhile, commuters and travelers heading to or from Sikkim are strongly advised to plan ahead and opt for alternate routes via Kalimpong, which may extend travel time by approximately two hours.
While there are brief non-restricted windows between closure slots, authorities caution that these are not suitable for uninterrupted travel along the entire NH-10 corridor during the designated days. The movement of any unauthorized vehicles during the blocked hours is strictly prohibited.
Motorists, tourists, and transporters are requested to cooperate with the restrictions and schedule adjustments to ensure public safety and smooth execution of the critical repair works.
