The central government has approved a Rs 338 crore ($41 million) project to widen and upgrade the Lava-Pedong road, a critical alternative route when National Highway 10 (NH10) faces disruptions. The project, aimed at enhancing road connectivity to Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok, is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion and ensure smoother travel between North Bengal and Sikkim.

The road expansion will be executed by the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode. The project involves converting the existing stretch into a two-lane road with paved shoulders, with completion targeted within two and a half years.

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, for approving the project. He stated, “Alongside development projects, social and political concerns would also be resolved for the welfare of the people.”

Residents of Pedong, Lava, and nearby areas have long suffered during monsoons when NH10—the primary highway connecting Sikkim—gets blocked, forcing heavy traffic onto narrower, congested alternative routes. The newly sanctioned project aims to resolve these issues, providing improved connectivity throughout Kalimpong district and ensuring a smoother journey to Gangtok.

With the enhancement of NH-717A, both local commuters and visitors can expect better road conditions, reduced congestion, and more efficient connectivity between West Bengal and Sikkim. The initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing the region’s infrastructure challenges while promoting economic growth and social welfare.