Gangtok: Landslides have choked National Highway 10 at Sevoke. Traffic between Sikkim and Siliguri ground to a halt on Thursday as debris buried the road. Officials shut down the route to clear the mess.
The Darjeeling Superintendent of Police ordered all vehicles to use the Moonsong-Gorubathan route. Drivers can also take the Coronation Bridge-Mongpong-Gajoldoba corridor if road conditions allow. Police are juggling the flow to keep commuters moving while crews work.
Workers cleared the road once, but the mountain did not hold. Fresh rocks and dirt keep sliding down the unstable hillside. Authorities say the path remains too dangerous for travel. As the official communication noted, "The affected road was cleared and traffic movement was restored for a brief period. However, fresh landslides involving small boulders and debris are continuing to occur, indicating that the slope remains unstable."
Restoring normal traffic is impossible right now. The Darjeeling SP is pushing the diversion plan to keep people safe. Motorists should listen to local police and follow the signs until the highway is secure.
Photo Courtesy: India Today Group

Comments