The Bengal public works department (PWD) has started revamping NH55 which connects Siliguri with Darjeeling by widening several stretches and renovating culverts.

The Union ministry of road transport and highways sanctioned Rs 20 crore for the project, said sources in the PWD.

“The tender process was completed and we have set a target of one year to finish the project,” Debabrata Thakur, the executive engineer of state PWD (NH division), said on Sunday.

According to him, initially, it has been decided to widen some sharp bends along the highway, renovate culverts and repair the guard walls on certain stretches.

The PWD, sources said, has identified at least 10 spots where drivers have to negotiate sharp bends.

“The work to widen the areas with sharp bends has commenced. It is necessary to avert accidents in these areas. Once the widening is complete, the task of renovating the culverts and guard walls will start,” said a source.

The 77km-long highway stretches from Darjeeling More, the principal entry point to Siliguri, to Darjeeling town. NH55 meets NH10 at Darjeeling More. NH55 moves via Kurseong, and other hilly hamlets like Tindharia, Gayabari, Tung and Sonada and is considered the lifeline of the hill town.

These days, the stretch of NH55 from Darjeeling More to Kurseong is mostly used by goods vehicles and buses. Light passenger vehiclestake an alternative road from Rohini near Siliguri to Kurseong.

“However, NH55’s maintenance is essential as the tracks of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway run along the highway. The road is also used to ferry Darjeeling Tea. Tea gardens in the hills use NH55 to bring their equipment,” said a source.

There are also routes from Pankhabari near Siliguri to Kurseong — where one-way traffic is usually allowed — and from Siliguri to Ghoom (which is near Darjeeling) via Mirik.

“Some vulnerable stretches of NH55, including sinking zones, have been identified. One stretch is at Paglajhora and another is at Tindharia. Repairs will be carried outat those places,” an official said.

“There might be alternative roads till Kurseong, but NH55 is the principal road from Kurseong to Darjeeling. It needs to be widened and strengthened as landslides and cave-ins are often reported in some areas during the monsoon, which disrupt or slow down traffic movement,” said Prabhat Lama, a trader in Kurseong.