Landslides prolong highway 55 repair

Siliguri, Aug. 2: The National Highway 55 is unlikely to open this year as frequent landslides are disrupting the restoration work along a 300-meter stretch near Paglajhora.

The stretch had to be closed after a mudslide in June last year completely damaged the road that connects Siliguri to Darjeeling.

According to PWD officials, the recent landslides that occurred at 14th Mile, 35km from here, has damaged the road again and debris is falling on it from the hillside regularly

“The onset of monsoon has triggered fresh landslides on a stretch on NH55 which is under restoration. So far around 300 meters of the road has succumbed to heavy rainfall and mudslips since mid-June. Although we have discontinued the restoration work because of the monsoon, our workforce and machinery are engaged in removing the debris as and when the slides occur,” Nirmal Mondol, the executive engineer of the PWD (NH division-9), said.

The PWD, which undertook restoration work near Paglajhora last year, had partially repaired the damaged stretch and light vehicles were allowed to ply from April.

“We have submitted a tentative report to the chief engineer of national highway division of the state government. A final estimate (for the repair work) can be submitted only after the monsoon because we expect more landslides,” said Mondol.

He added that the major tasks of giving shape to the road that had completely collapsed after the mudslip has been completed. “This time the damage is not as severe as it was last year. But it will take two to three months more for us restore the road fully. But it will be difficult to get NH55 fully operational by this year,” Mondol said.

With the highway shut, heavy vehicles travelling between Kurseong and Siliguri are plying the Rohini-Pankhabari route that is not strong enough to withstand huge weight.

“Permanent repair of the stretch is not possible because the area around Paglajhora is a sinking zone and has had a history of landslides for the past 50 years. The ministry of road transport and highways had released Rs 3.5 crore (for restoration) of which Rs 2.5 crore has been spent. We require more funds to repair the current damage and will submit a fresh proposal when the rainy season is over,” Mondol added.

~TT