Kurseong News | japan experts to inspect the landslide-affected stretches of NH55

Siliguri, Jan. 27.TT: A team of around 20 experts from Japan will inspect the landslide-affected stretches of NH55 next month to assess the damage and recommend restoration methods to the Centre.

The team comprising geo-technical, landslide and highway experts will provide the suggestions to the Union ministry of surface transport and roadways for the repair of two major breaches at Tindharia and Paglajhora.

“The Centre had sought technical expertise from the Japanese government regarding the repair of the highway that caves in at many spots frequently. A team of around 20 experts from Japan will inspect the landslide-hit stretches of NH55 at Tindharia and Paglajhora on February 13. They will also be accompanied by the officials from the ministry,” said Nirmal Mondal, executive engineer NH (division IX) of the state public works department.

Tindharia is 30km from Siliguri and Paglajhora is further 5km uphill.

Traffic along the Siliguri-Kurseong section of the highway has been suspended after 500 meters of the road had collapsed at Paglajhora in June 2010. The route was opened for light vehicles in April last year but again shut in June after the rainy season began. Although the restoration was in progress, the stretch suffered extensive damage during the September 18 earthquake.

Ten days after the quake, a 150-metre-stretch of the highway at Tindharia, too, caved in. The repair of the road at Paglajhora has been stalled since the earthquake and the restoration of the highway at Tindharia didn’t begin either.

“The Japanese experts will hold a discussion with us after the inspection and offer technical advice to the ministry. The restoration will begin only after the experts give the suggestions,” said Mondal.

Before the disruption, NH55 that is also called Hill Cart Road was used mostly by heavy vehicles. They were, however, diverted through Mirik and Mungpoo after the cave-in at Paglajhora in 2010. With the diversion of the route, the vehicles had to travel two hours extra to reach Darjeeling from Siliguri. The usual time for the travel along NH55 is three hours.

But Rohini Road —connecting Siliguri to Kurseong via Simulbari — meant for light vehicles became a thoroughfare for heavy vehicles to save cost and time. The Rohini Road also became unsuitable for traffic and has been closed for the repair since December 7.