Kalimpong, Aug. 17: National Highway 31A ? the main route connecting Siliguri with Kalimpong and Sikkim ? remained blocked for the fourth day today with the mudpile at Likhubir (about 21 km from Kalimpong) still not cleared.
The local people, however, breathed a sigh of relief after the alternative route via Lava, which was also closed due to a landslide at Gorubathan (about 90 km from here) for two days, was opened for traffic last evening. Vehicles which were moving via Jorebunglow to reach Siliguri and Kalimpong till yesterday have resumed traffic through Lava.
Kalimpong additional superintendent of police M. Ahmed said: ?The alternative route via Lava has been opened yesterday but it has not been possible to clear the rubble blocking NH 31A. The General Reserve Engineering Force (Gref) of the Border Roads Organisation, who are in charge of maintaining the road, are trying to open the route.?
Though landslides are a common occurrence in the Hills during the monsoon, this time the NH 31A remained blocked for the longest period this year. Earlier this month the national highway had been closed for three days after a massive landslide at Swetijhora.
Speaking about the difficulties in clearing the rubble at Likhubir a senior Gref official said: ?We are trying to clear the mud pile at NH 31A but due to incessant rain at night more boulders and rubble are falling from the mountainside, making our task more difficult.?
The landslide here had occurred last Saturday, but the Gref officials are still not sure when the road will open to traffic.
The route through Lava takes much more time than the original route through the national highway and costs a lot more.
The route through Lava measures 140 km and people are paying Rs 100 as bus fare and Rs 120 as taxi fare to reach Kalimpong. The direct route is 62 km long and the fares for bus and taxi are Rs 50 and Rs 60 respectively.
The traffic from Sikkim is also moving via Lava after coming to the subdivision from Ramphu. This alternative route is taking them double the time to reach Siliguri.
