JALPAIGURI: The work has begun on a new highway between Malbazar and Sikkim which will not only reduce travel time of more than one hour, it will also be less susceptible to disorders caused by landslides.
The new road built by the National Highway & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) will be completed in 2024.
New alignment that will pass the existing NH-10 and walk through the district of Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong through Oodlabari, Bagrakot, Chunabhati, Chuikhim, Lolegaon, Lava , Algiangian, Pedong and Aritar before reaching Nathula through Gangtok will cross around 150 km, about 50 km short NH-10.
While the road will be an alternative to the land confined state that finds inventory disrupted when landslides occur during the rainy season, it will also be very important for the army to mobilize troops along the border if tensions between India and China are increasing.
Nathula is a pass on the Indo-Chinese border.
A spokesman for East orders GP Capt Hood said: “The development of national infrastructure and communication lines in Sikkim will facilitate economic, trade and tourism development.
New roads will provide faster resource movements and better connectivity for local residents and in line with infrastructure development border region carried out by the armed forces.
“Sources said the existing road along the proposed alignment except for a stretch of 3 km between Chhagey and Aritar.
While the road needs to be placed in this section to plug in the gap, the remaining stretch needs to be widened.
A stretch of road from Kolbong-Chhagey to Aritar will pass through a typical area without disturbing the forest area.
The road only needs to be widened.
“The new road will also help prosperous businesses in the region.
The tourism industry will also get a massive encouragement,” said Soujit Das Social Activist from Ooodlabari Science and Nature.