The Centre has approved ₹993.64 crore for the development of National Highway-10 (NH-10) between Rangpo and Ranipool in Sikkim. The project will upgrade the existing road corridor into a two-lane highway with paved shoulders, incorporating major engineering works to improve safety and strengthen connectivity across the Himalayan state.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced the approval on October 7, stating that the project has been designed to address the challenges posed by the region’s difficult terrain and vulnerable road sections.
The development work will include the construction of tunnels, viaducts, bridges and cut-and-cover sections. Comprehensive slope-protection measures will also be implemented to address stretches vulnerable to landslides, ground movement and road subsidence.
NH-10 is a crucial road link connecting Sikkim with the rest of the country and serves as a major route for reaching Gangtok and other parts of the state. Frequent landslides and sinking of road sections have disrupted traffic along the highway, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
The upgraded Rangpo-Ranipool corridor is expected to provide safer, faster and more reliable connectivity. The engineering interventions are intended to improve the highway’s resilience in vulnerable locations and reduce the risks associated with unstable slopes and difficult Himalayan terrain.
Improved road infrastructure is also expected to support tourism in Sikkim by facilitating smoother movement between the state’s major destinations and neighbouring regions. The corridor will strengthen the transportation of agricultural and horticultural produce and help ensure the movement of essential goods.
The project also carries strategic importance, as NH-10 supports the movement of defence personnel and supplies. A more resilient road connection is expected to strengthen logistical access to Sikkim, including areas of strategic significance in the state.
According to the government’s project description, the combination of tunnels, viaducts, bridges and slope-stabilisation works will address the specific geographical challenges affecting this stretch. The use of these structures is intended to improve road safety and reliability while supporting traffic movement through the mountainous terrain.
The project is part of the broader effort to strengthen road connectivity in the Northeast and Himalayan region, where highways play a critical role in linking remote settlements, supporting economic activity and maintaining access to essential services.
The upgraded NH-10 corridor is expected to contribute to Sikkim’s socio-economic development by improving access for residents, businesses, tourists and transport operators while strengthening an important road link between the state and the rest of India.