Sikkim's NH31-A lifeline closed for repairs

Siliguri, July 15 (IANS) With a landslide badly disrupting traffic, National Highway 31-A connecting Gangtok with Siliguri in West Bengal and considered Sikkim's "lifeline" will be closed for a day from Wednesday for repairs.

With a major chunk of the highway caving in near Kalimpong in Darjeeling district and threatening to cut off Sikkim from the rest of the country, the administration has roped in the services of General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF).

According to the district administration, the highway will be closed for 24 hours from 6 a.m. Wednesday to enable the GREF to construct a Bailey bridge on the landslide-affected area for the traffic to resume.

Both the Sikkim and Darjeeling administration have warned tourists and drivers against using the highway to avert any tragedy.