GANGTOK,: The Citizen Action Party (CAP) Sikkim has strongly condemned the media statements made by Roads & Bridges minister NB Dahal wherein the Public Works Department (PWD) of West Bengal government was blamed for the poor maintenance of NH 10.
The purported media statement was given by Dahal to a national media outlet.
“In his statement, minister Dahal blamed the Public Works Department (PWD), West Bengal for the poor maintenance of NH10 and even threatened to personally visit the PWD office, West Bengal with hundreds of youths to register a complaint and further stated to hand over the maintenance of NH10 falling under West Bengal to Government of Sikkim. Such inflammatory remarks are highly irresponsible and threaten to damage the longstanding, harmonious relationship between Sikkim and West Bengal,” said CAP Sikkim spokesperson Phuri Sherpa in her press statement on Wednesday.
“This unfortunate statement comes at a time when inter-State cooperation is crucial, particularly in light of the recent GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) event, which has caused significant damage to roads along the Teesta basin. The Government of Sikkim has failed to take any meaningful action following the disaster, neglecting to send an official delegation to engage in dialogue with the West Bengal government regarding the restoration and maintenance of NH10.”
“Instead, the minister has chosen to cast baseless blame, further straining an already delicate situation,” said Sherpa.
The CAP Sikkim spokesperson pointed out that, during the prolonged blockages of NH10, alternative routes maintained by the West Bengal PWD such as the Gangtok-Lava-Gourbathan route, Panbu route, Jorethang- Takbar- Darjeeling route, and Sittong route remained operational, ensuring a steady flow of traffic.
In stark contrast, roads within Sikkim, including those leading to critical areas like Lachen, not to speak of road conditions within the capital city of Gangtok which are in deplorable conditions, especially post-GLOF, with no effort made by the State government to address these vital connectivity issues, she said.
“Minister Dahal's failure to prioritize the crumbling road infrastructure within Sikkim while pointing fingers at the neighboring State raises serious questions about the State government's commitment to its own people. Rather than making rash and baseless accusations, the minister should focus on addressing the dismal condition of Sikkim's own roads, many of which are currently in a state of neglect, severely impacting the livelihoods of drivers, students, and businesses alike,” said the CAP Sikkim spokesperson.
“We believe that issuing such provocative statements will only serve to worsen relations between Sikkim and West Bengal, two States that have coexisted peacefully for decades. The negative impact of such remarks will be felt most acutely by the people of Sikkim—particularly the driver community, businesses, and students—who rely heavily on NH10 for their daily commute and trade.”
Sherpa contended that the failure of Sikkim’s Chief Minister, Prem Singh Tamang, to engage in any meaningful dialogue with his West Bengal counterpart, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, despite sharing national platforms, highlights the lack of initiative on part of the State government in resolving this critical issue.
“The Citizen Action Party (CAP) – Sikkim urges Minister N.B. Dahal to retract his reckless statement immediately in the larger interest of Sikkim and its people. We call upon the government to take a more responsible and constructive approach by engaging in meaningful discussions with the West Bengal government, addressing the real issues at hand, and focusing on improving the State’s own road infrastructure rather than issuing baseless threats that serve no purpose other than to stoke unnecessary tensions,” said the CAP Sikkim spokesperson.