Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: Sikkim BJP officials want the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited to scrap the current plan for the Pakyong-Barapathing highway. They sent a letter to the NHIDCL regional office in Gangtok demanding an immediate technical review. The party wants the project moved to the existing Public Works Department road corridor. They argue the current path threatens public safety and the environment.
The party claims the proposed route hits landslide-prone terrain. Construction in Thek and Barapathing already damaged slope stability. Settlers living downhill face significant risks from this design. The new path cuts through forests instead of sticking to the established road network.
Natural mountain springs are at risk. These springs supply drinking water to Pakyong town and nearby villages. Building through woods could cause massive debris dumping. This would destroy agricultural land in the valleys below. The BJP suggests the highway follow the PWD corridor to boost connectivity for actual residents instead of bypassing populated hubs.
The party raised these issues with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Minister of State Harsh Malhotra. They promise to keep pushing until the state addresses their concerns. The BJP issued a clear warning to the government regarding the project.
"The BJP stands firm as the unshakeable voice of the people of Sikkim. While we wholeheartedly champion the vision of advanced national infrastructure, development must be a harbinger of prosperity, not a source of fear or displacement for our families. We will never support, nor act against, the core interests and safety of our citizens. NHIDCL must immediately halt its current trajectory and respect the collective, logical will of Pakyong's residents by expanding the pre-existing PWD corridor," the party stated.
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