Sikkim, WB to tackle overloading issue along NH 31A

Sikkim Express | www.sikkimexpress.com

GANGTOK, May 22: Collectively deciding not to allow over-loading of trucks along the NH 31A, both the Sikkim and West Bengal government have agreed to install weigh bridges at Rangpo and Melli in Sikkim and at Salugarha and other places in the West Bengal side.
The other places where weigh bridges to prevent over-loading of trucks will be identified later, it was decided during a meeting of the top transport department officials of both the State governments here at Gangtok.
During the meeting, the officials deliberated on tackling the overloading issue keeping in view of the fragility of the NH 31A, the only lifeline of Sikkim.
Speaking to media after the meeting, West Bengal State Transport Authority secretary Sushanto Chaudhary and Sikkim State Transport department secretary SD Basi said that a number of power and other projects in Sikkim get the supplies of materials through heavily over loaded trucks passing through the National Highway 31A. This weakens the highway which has a limited carrying capacity, they said.
Both said that the temporary permits for the goods vehicles shuttling between Sikkim and West Bengal will now be issued for one year instead of six months only at present and will be countersigned by the RTOs of both Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri.
Chaudhary and Basi added that both the governments are in full agreement about starting services of SNT and West Bengal State Transport buses between Gangtok, Kalimpong, Darjeeling and other places including Jaigoan on West Bengal-Bhutan border provided they get enough passengers. They said that direct services between Gangtok and Kolkata too can be materialize but this will need special type of buses and drivers as well keeping in mind the hilly terrains in the two States.
However, Chaudhary said that if the SNT is willing to start a direct bus service between Gangtok and Kolkata, the West Bengal government is ready to provide parking space for Sikkim buses at Kolkota.