Tourism in the eastern Himalayan region is facing a fresh challenge as the principal road corridor connecting Siliguri to Kalimpong—National Highway 10—is set to remain closed for six days in May, disrupting peak summer travel.
The temporary shutdown, part of an ongoing road widening and infrastructure upgrade effort, is likely to impact thousands of tourists heading to Kalimpong, a popular hill destination in north Bengal, as well as affect local livelihoods dependent on seasonal footfall. The highway closure will take place in two phases: from May 9 to 11, and again from May 13 to 15. These staggered closures are being carried out by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to facilitate construction activity aimed at improving long-term connectivity in the region. However, in the short term, the move is expected to cause significant inconvenience to both residents and visitors.
As per officials, traffic movement on NH10 will be completely suspended during specific hours to allow heavy machinery and engineering crews to operate safely. In addition, restrictions have been imposed on the movement of all heavy goods vehicles even during the few open hours between closures, a decision that logistics stakeholders say will affect the flow of supplies to Kalimpong and adjoining areas. Tour operators and transport service providers warn that the immediate impact will be felt in the form of longer journey times, increased fares, and potential cancellations. Typically, the drive from Siliguri to Kalimpong via NH10 takes just about two hours. With the diversion routes now in use, that time could stretch up to four hours in some cases, depending on road and weather conditions.
Authorities are advising tourists and commercial travellers to plan for detours in advance. Smaller private vehicles have been directed to use the Panbu route, while mini buses and light commercial vehicles are being diverted to NH717A via Gorubathan. Both routes involve narrow hill stretches and longer travel durations. According to private taxi operators, the Panbu route adds around one hour to the journey, while the Gorubathan alternative could lead to delays of up to two hours or more. While the official line is that these measures are necessary for public safety and infrastructure development, local businesses and tourism stakeholders are sounding the alarm over the economic impact. Many hotel owners, tour guides, and shopkeepers rely heavily on the summer tourist season, which coincides with school holidays and generally sees high footfall from across West Bengal and neighbouring states.
Some hospitality operators have already reported cancellations and a dip in advance bookings, with travellers wary of delays and potential roadblocks. Travel aggregators say that the rising cost of fuel, combined with extended detours, may result in price-sensitive tourists choosing other nearby destinations such as Darjeeling or Gangtok instead. Residents of Kalimpong, too, are grappling with the disruption. For them, NH10 is not just a tourist route—it is a lifeline that connects them to essential services in Siliguri, including major hospitals, markets, and educational institutions. With the movement of goods restricted and emergency access routes narrowed, concerns are being raised about how the closures might affect urgent transport, especially during health or climate emergencies.
Environmental experts and urban planners, however, are drawing attention to the larger picture. The infrastructure upgrade being undertaken is part of a broader plan to improve resilience in hilly terrain, which is prone to landslides and seasonal disruptions. Strengthening roads like NH10 is essential for long-term disaster preparedness, especially in the face of erratic rainfall patterns and increasing tourist volumes, they argue. However, experts also stress the need for more sustainable planning that balances development with environmental conservation and equitable mobility. Suggestions include investing in all-weather bypass roads, promoting sustainable public transport to hill destinations, and decentralising tourism so that pressure on individual towns like Kalimpong is reduced.
The incident underscores the challenges of managing infrastructure in ecologically fragile zones where climate, congestion, and commerce intersect. The fact that a single highway closure can severely affect not only a local economy but also visitor behaviour points to the urgent need for better transport redundancy in hill regions. Transport unions and civic groups are also urging better coordination between infrastructure authorities and local stakeholders. While the NHIDCL is leading the road widening project, communication with local communities, businesses, and tour operators has reportedly been minimal, resulting in confusion and last-minute planning chaos.
Some travellers have taken to social media expressing their frustration, citing poor signage, lack of real-time updates, and inadequate support from transport operators. The absence of dedicated help desks or advisories has further compounded the issue, especially for elderly travellers and families unfamiliar with alternative routes. Despite the inconvenience, many tourists still plan to make their way to Kalimpong, albeit with added caution. The town, known for its pleasant weather, colonial-era architecture, and views of the eastern Himalayas, continues to attract visitors with its charm. However, whether these recurring travel disruptions will dampen Kalimpong’s long-term appeal as a tourist hotspot remains to be seen.
As infrastructure development pushes forward, the episode serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required in hill station planning—between mobility and ecology, tourism and local livelihoods, growth and sustainability.
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