The project will upgrade the corridor into a two-lane highway and include the construction of tunnels, viaducts, bridges and cut-and-cover sections. Comprehensive slope-protection measures will also be implemented to address vulnerable sections prone to landslides and ground subsidence.
Gadkari said the upgraded corridor would provide safer, faster and more resilient connectivity to Gangtok and other parts of Sikkim. It is also expected to improve the movement of tourists, agricultural and horticultural produce, and essential goods.
The highway holds strategic importance for the movement of defence personnel and supplies, while improved connectivity is expected to support the state's socio-economic development.
The Rangpo–Ranipool stretch forms a crucial section of NH-10, which connects Sikkim with the rest of the country. The challenging Himalayan terrain and recurring landslides have made strengthening the corridor a priority for improving road safety and ensuring more reliable connectivity.
The announcement follows the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) initiating procurement for the development of the Rangpo–Ranipool section. The tender documents also provide for tunnels, viaducts and engineering measures to address vulnerable sections of the highway.
