Lohapool and Suntaley along NH31A have opposed the construction of a diversion by the Border Roads Organisation

Vehicles pass through the congested Lohapool market. File picture

NH31A diversion opposed

Kalimpong, Sept. 1: Residents of Lohapool and Suntaley along NH31A have opposed the construction of a diversion by the Border Roads Organisation in the area as it will hit the the economy of the villages and instead, wanted the highway to be widened.

The BRO that maintains the highway had plans to build a viaduct on the highway 1km ahead of Lohapool. The new route would join NH31A 1km after the village.

Sagar Lama, convener of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s highway block, said the construction of the viaduct would mean that hundreds of vehicles that ply on the road every day would avoid the villages and the business would suffer losses.

He added that apart from Lohapool and Suntaley, neighbouring villages like Mungpoo, Sitong, Rongchok and Rolak would also suffer economically if vehicles took the new route. “A vast majority of the people in these villages are totally dependent on the highway since there is no other source of employment (in the area),” he said.

People travelling up and down the highway often stop at Lohapool for refreshment and to buy fresh vegetables, seasonal fruits and cow milk. Several eateries are also lined up along the 2km stretch that sell knick-knacks apart from food. The BRO had proposed a diversion so that vehicles could avoid the narrow and congested area.

According to Lama, about 10,000 people live in the villages along the highway and there are around 200 households in Lohapool and Suntaley. He added “majority” of the population earn their livelihood by selling items on the highway.

Residents of the area had sent a petition to the BRO few months back saying they were ready to dismantle any structure, temporary or permanent, for the sake of widening the highway. They have also pledged not to seek any compensation for pulling down the structures.

Lama said he had taken up the matter with local MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri and the leader sent a letter to the BRO asking them not to construct the diversion.

“I personally feel that there is no need to create a viaduct bypassing the existing route,” Chhetri said in his letter addressed to the officer commanding, 87 Road Construction Company of the BRO.

BRO officials said the petition had been forwarded to the Union ministry of road transport and highway. “This is a matter that cannot be decided at our level. It is for the ministry to take a call,” said an official. 

-TT/RAJEEV RAVIDAS