Date:14/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/09/14/stories/2007091452492300.htm

Back Sikkim seeks Centre’s help in restoring highway

Sarikah Atreya

Gangtok, Sept. 13 The continued disruption of National Highway 31A and the persistent problems faced by this tiny Himalayan State has prompted the Sikkim Government to draw the attention of the Centre to the issue.

The Chief Minister, Mr Pawan Chamling, has shot off a letter to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, drawing his attention to the bad state of the road network, especially National Highway 31A, which has been severely damaged by a spate of landslides in the last two weeks.

The Chief Minister has requested the PM’s urgent intervention to “mitigate the severe hardships being faced by the people of Sikkim”.

He has also requested Dr Singh to depute a Central Team to review the situation and assess the extent of damages along the National Highway 31A falling within Sikkim and North Bengal for urgent restoration.

The State Government has blamed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the upkeep of the national highway, for not properly maintaining the main artery of the State.