Sikkim Lifeline NH-10 Shuts Nightly for Month-Long Repairs

Gangtok: National Highway 10 shuts down starting this Friday. The lifeline of Sikkim will close to all traffic every night for one month. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited issued a circular confirming the nightly restriction lasts until December 13. Crews will work from 9 pm to 6 am each day. The closure hits the 52-km stretch between Coronation Bridge in West Bengal and Rangpo in Sikkim.

Construction teams have a clear goal. They need to handle excavation, slope protection, and landslide mitigation on this vulnerable road. The NHIDCL warned the public to plan ahead and stay off the road during those nine-hour blocks. Officials stated, "NHIDCL has advised commuters to plan their journeys accordingly and avoid the affected stretch during the restricted hours."

Drivers heading into Sikkim face significant delays. They must take long detours through Gorubathan-Lava-Pedong-Rhenock or the route via Siliguri-Odlabari-Gorubathan-Lava-Algarah-Pedong-Rhenock-Pakyong-Gangtok. These paths span 175 to 190 km. Expect the trip to take seven to eight hours. Landslides and bad weather often choke this route, making these repairs mandatory for the state connection.