NH‑10 collapses from Siliguri to Sikkim amid monsoon landslides
The crucial National Highway 10, a lifeline linking Siliguri to Sikkim and Kalimpong, is under unprecedented stress, with its latest closure highlighting a deeper systemic vulnerability. Heavy monsoonal rains have once again triggered landslides and severe erosion along the Teesta riverbank, forcing authorities to extend the traffic suspension for several days. This recurring infrastructure failure is not merely a temporary inconvenience but a stark indicator of the region’s increasing climate-related fragility and the urgent need to pivot towards more sustainable, eco-friendly urban and infrastructure planning. The disruption has brought to the fore a critical debate on how to build and maintain equitable infrastructure that is resilient against a changing climate and can support the region’s economic engine without compromising ecological stability.
The consistent and prolonged closures of this vital artery have begun to cripple regional commerce. Siliguri, a pivotal gateway for trade and tourism, is bearing the brunt of the disruption. Local businesses, particularly those in logistics, hospitality, and agri-supply chains, report substantial financial losses as goods are delayed and tourist traffic is diverted. The socio-economic impact ripples across the entire value chain, affecting livelihoods from transporters to small-scale vendors in mountain communities. Experts highlight that this economic vulnerability is a direct consequence of a linear, non-resilient approach to infrastructure development, where single-point failures can paralyse an entire regional economy. The focus on a single, fragile highway without robust alternatives is proving to be an unsustainable model for a city aspiring to be a modern, thriving urban hub.
The root of the problem, according to environmental scientists and civil engineers, lies in a combination of geological instability and intensified weather patterns driven by global climate change. The Teesta riverbed, significantly raised by flash floods in previous years, now overflows its banks more easily, eroding the very foundations of the highway. This has prompted a renewed call from officials for a comprehensive, long-term solution. Rather than focusing on temporary repairs and retrofits, a paradigm shift is necessary. This new approach must embrace bio-engineering and nature-based solutions, such as reinforcing riverbanks with deep-rooted native vegetation and implementing advanced subsurface drainage systems to manage water flow more effectively.
Developing a more sustainable and equitable city in this context means rethinking infrastructure not just as a means to an end, but as a dynamic part of the ecosystem. Officials are now considering a new, parallel greenfield highway on the opposite bank of the Teesta, designed with modern, flood-resistant features. Such projects, when planned with a zero-net-carbon perspective, could not only provide strategic redundancy but also become a model for future infrastructure projects in other vulnerable regions. The dialogue must also expand to include gender-neutral and equitable planning, ensuring that new routes and transport solutions do not disproportionately affect women and other marginalised groups who may rely on public transport or have specific safety and accessibility needs.
In taking a stand, it is clear that the path forward for Siliguri and other Himalayan cities must prioritise resilience and sustainability. The immediate challenge of the NH-10 closure presents a long-awaited opportunity to move beyond reactive fixes and to invest in a forward-thinking, eco-friendly infrastructure framework. By integrating climate science with compassionate urban planning, the region can build a truly resilient and prosperous future for all its inhabitants, safeguarding its critical lifelines from the intensifying pressures of a warming planet.
