<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>GANGTOK,:</b><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif"> The
proposed Pakyong–Barapathing National Highway has become the subject of public
debate in Pakyong district, with residents from Tankilakha, Ganchung, Linkey,
Parkha and Thekabung submitting a memorandum to Union Minister for Road
Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, seeking a review of the proposed
alignment over concerns relating to water security, landslide risks and
environmental sustainability.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">In
their memorandum, the residents clarified that they are not opposed to the
National Highway project but have urged the Union government to reconsider the
proposed alignment. They contend that the present route could affect natural
spring water sources relied upon by nearly 350 households, destabilise
landslide-prone slopes around Tankilakha and impact nearby villages. The representation
proposes upgrading the existing Pakyong-Linkey road corridor to National
Highway standards, arguing that it would provide wider public benefit while
minimising environmental risks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">The
memorandum further calls for an independent technical, geological, hydrological
and environmental assessment, a comprehensive Social Impact Assessment
involving affected communities, protection of natural water sources and public
consultation before the alignment is finalised.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Speaking
to this reporter, Rajya Sabha MP D.T. Lepcha said there is no vested interest
behind the proposed national highway project and maintained that the initiative
is aimed solely at the overall development of Pakyong district and Sikkim. The “strategically
significant” proposed highway is expected to strengthen connectivity between
Pakyong and Barapathing, improve access towards the Nathu La, provide faster
connectivity from Pakyong Airport and contribute to the long-term development
of Pakyong district and Sikkim, he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Lepcha
said he, along with Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, personally met Union minister
Nitin Gadkari to impress upon him the strategic importance of the project. He
added that the Chief Minister had also written separately to the Union government
in support of improving the proposed road corridor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">According
to Lepcha, when the consultancy tender for preparation of the Detailed Project
Report (DPR) was floated, NHIDCL general manager Col. K.A. Siddiqui (Retd.)
sought his views on the proposed alignment. Lepcha said he had suggested that
the alignment should utilise the existing PWD road from Pakyong through Machong
to Barapathing, considering it a practical alternative.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">However,
Lepcha stressed that once a national highway project is taken up by the
National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited
(NHIDCL), the alignment is prepared and finalised strictly in accordance with
the corporation’s own engineering surveys, technical standards and policy guidelines.
He said NHIDCL determines the route based on its prescribed norms and technical
feasibility, and not on the preferences of public representatives or the State government.
“While suggestions may be placed before the agency during the planning stage,
the final alignment rests with NHIDCL after completion of detailed surveys and
technical evaluation.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">He
further stated that the proposed “Greenfield highway” is presently being
surveyed through Ganchung, Tokchi and Machong, with the route expected to
connect to the existing State PWD road near Parakha. He emphasised that the
survey has not yet been finalised and that statutory public hearings with
affected residents will be conducted before the alignment is finalised.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Responding
to concerns over environmental impacts, Lepcha disputed claims that the project
would require extensive diversion of forest land. Citing the preliminary alignment
and geotagging undertaken during the survey process, he claimed that less than
10 per cent of the proposed corridor passes through forest land, while the
remaining alignment traverses non-forest areas. He added that the project would
nevertheless require all mandatory forest and environmental clearances before
construction could begin.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Recalling
the project’s background, Lepcha said that in 2005, while serving as PWD minister,
there was a proposal to widen the existing State Road after then Deputy Speaker
Mingma Tshering Sherpa advocated for its improvement. However, he said the
proposal did not proceed after local residents declined to provide No Objection
Certificates (NOCs), citing concerns that road widening could trigger landslides
and damage major drinking water pipelines. According to him, the sanctioned
funds were subsequently diverted to another project.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Lepcha
further said the proposed national highway has the potential to unlock
long-term tourism and economic opportunities in the region. Referring to the
proposed tourism infrastructure below Menla, he said projects such as the
planned “Mini Pahalgam” and a golf course would benefit from improved road
connectivity, generating broader economic opportunities for Pakyong district.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">He
also observed that land acquisition and compensation costs would play a key
role in determining the project’s financial viability, adding that if
compensation costs exceed permissible project limits, the proposal itself could
be reconsidered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">No
official response from the National Highways & Infrastructure Development
Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) regarding the residents’ memorandum or the
proposed alignment was available at the time of filing this report.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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