The Hindu Business Line : Gangtok-Nathula stretch to be widened

The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Mr T.R. Baalu, has approved widening and improvement of a 37-km stretch of the existing Gangtok-Nathula road into a two-lane road, said an official release.

The work is estimated to cost Rs 263.6 crore and would be undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

The Gangtok-Nathula road has acquired importance after the recent opening of trade with China through Nathula pass in July 2006.

The entire Gangtok-Nathula road is 61 km long. The road-widening project would be taken up under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North Eastern Region.

The remaining 24 km will be taken up for approval later. With the approval accorded by the Ministry, BRO would start work on the 37-km stretch to build the road according to international standards.

The Government had earlier approved improvement of NH 31A from Sevoke to Gangtok to two-lane with paved shoulders and improvement of General Staff road from Gangtok to Nathula to two-lane to facilitate plying of heavy commercial vehicles, which are expected to increase in number with improved trade flows with China.

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