Tragic Kalimpong Car Accident on NH10— In a devastating accident that underscores the dangers of hilly roads in North Bengal, four persons lost their lives and three others were severely injured when a car skidded off the mountainous NH10 highway and plunged into a deep gorge near Kalimpong on Friday morning.
The accident occurred around 8:30 AM near the Rambi area, a stretch notorious for its sharp curves and narrow mountain roads. According to police reports, the vehicle—a white SUV with seven occupants—was en route from Siliguri to Kalimpong when the driver apparently lost control while negotiating a steep bend amid heavy rain.
Local residents and rescue teams from the Kalimpong Police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rushed to the site immediately after hearing a loud crash. The car had tumbled nearly 250 feet down the slope, landing near the banks of the Teesta River.
Immediate Rescue Efforts and Police Response
Personnel from the Kalimpong district police, assisted by West Bengal Disaster Management and Civil Defence teams, initiated an intensive rescue operation. Using ropes and stretchers, rescuers scaled the steep terrain to retrieve the victims trapped inside the mangled remains of the vehicle.
Four passengers were declared dead on the spot, while three critically injured survivors were shifted to the Kalimpong District Hospital, and later referred to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) in Siliguri for advanced treatment.
Senior district officials, including Kalimpong SP Dhrubajyoti Mukherjee, confirmed that preliminary investigations point towards “loss of control due to slippery conditions caused by continuous rainfall.”
The bodies of the deceased were sent for post-mortem examinations, and their families have been notified.
Eyewitness Accounts: ‘It Happened in Seconds’
Local witnesses described the scene as “horrific and chaotic.”
“I heard a loud screeching noise and then a crash,” said Bikash Thapa, a shopkeeper near the Rambi curve. “When we ran towards the sound, we saw the car had disappeared. It had gone down into the valley.”
Villagers tied ropes together and attempted a rescue even before official teams arrived. “We managed to pull out two survivors before the police reached,” said another local resident.
Tragic Kalimpong Car Accident on NH10: Road Safety Concerns on NH10
The accident has renewed concerns over road safety along National Highway 10 (NH10), a crucial arterial road connecting Siliguri to Gangtok via Kalimpong.
This stretch, known for its scenic beauty, also has a troubling history of road mishaps due to poor visibility, sharp turns, and frequent landslides.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the Kalimpong-Sikkim corridor has witnessed over 150 reported accidents in the last five years, many attributed to poor maintenance and inadequate guardrails.
(Reference: morth.nic.in)
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had previously identified several “black spots” — accident-prone zones — on NH10. Safety audits in 2023 recommended stronger crash barriers, better signage, and slope stabilization work. However, implementation has been inconsistent due to difficult terrain and recurring monsoon damage.
(Reference: nhai.gov.in)
Victims Identified, Families in Mourning
Authorities have confirmed the identities of the deceased as residents of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts.
The victims were part of a family traveling to attend a religious event. Among the dead were a 42-year-old woman, her teenage son, and two elderly relatives.
Three survivors — the driver and two young men — are undergoing treatment for multiple fractures and internal injuries. Doctors at NBMCH have described their condition as “stable but critical.”
Administration Orders Inquiry and Support for Victims
West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant has directed the Kalimpong district administration to conduct a detailed inquiry into the accident. The Transport Department has also sought a report on whether the vehicle had undergone recent fitness checks.
The West Bengal Disaster Management Department has announced that the families of the deceased will receive compensation under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) guidelines.
(Reference: wbdmd.gov.in)
Additionally, the West Bengal Transport Department has reiterated its plan to introduce stricter safety monitoring for passenger vehicles operating in the hills, including mandatory speed-governor devices and advanced driver training modules.
(Reference: transport.wb.gov.in)
Recurring Pattern of Accidents in Hilly Terrain
This tragedy is not isolated. In the last two months alone, at least five accidents have been reported along the Kalimpong-Rambi section of NH10, often involving tourist vehicles or private cars.
Monsoon conditions worsen the risk, as rain frequently triggers landslides and mudslides that make roads slippery and unpredictable.
Experts have emphasized that beyond driver skill, road engineering and continuous maintenance play crucial roles in preventing such fatalities.
“The combination of human error, weather impact, and poor road infrastructure creates a deadly mix,” said an official from the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI).
The CRRI has long recommended the use of reinforced barriers, real-time weather warning systems, and slope stability sensors for mountainous highways.
(Reference: crridom.gov.in)
Emergency Response and Need for Better Infrastructure
Emergency response time in mountain regions often determines the survival chances of accident victims. In this case, rescue operations were hampered by lack of immediate access routes and limited communication signals.
The government’s Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), under the Safe Hill Roads Initiative, has been proposed to ensure faster disaster response in North Bengal’s hilly districts.
(Reference: wbpolice.gov.in)
Experts have suggested deploying more mountain rescue vehicles, training local volunteers under the Civil Defence programme, and installing GPS-based crash detection systems in passenger vehicles.
Public Outcry and Local Demand for Safety Measures
Locals and frequent travelers on NH10 have demanded urgent measures to prevent further tragedies.
Community organizations in Kalimpong have submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate, requesting installation of metal guardrails, reflective signage, and speed cameras at accident-prone bends.
Several tourism operators have also called for stricter regulation of vehicle maintenance for taxis and tourist SUVs.
Official Statements and Future Road Safety Plans
State officials have assured that detailed road audits will be conducted post-monsoon to identify structural vulnerabilities.
The Public Works Department (PWD) and NHAI have initiated a joint inspection of the Rambi-Kalimpong sector.
“There is an immediate need to reinforce guard walls and improve drainage systems,” said an NHAI engineer supervising the site inspection.
The Ministry of Road Transport has also launched the “Road Accident Data Management System (RADMS)”, which collects real-time information on accidents for better policy formulation.
(Reference: radms.nic.in)
Broader Context: India’s Rising Mountain Road Fatalities
According to MoRTH’s annual report, India recorded over 13,000 fatalities in hilly and mountainous regions in 2023 alone.
While national road accident deaths have declined slightly due to improved enforcement and awareness, high-altitude regions like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Sikkim remain vulnerable.
Frequent landslides, fog, and poor visibility compound the risks, making it essential to combine engineering safety with community preparedness.
Voices from the Region: Calls for Action
In the aftermath of the tragedy, social organizations, NGOs, and local political representatives have urged the state to prioritize road safety funding in hilly districts.
A statement from the Himalayan Environmental and Development Forum highlighted that unchecked road expansion, deforestation, and soil erosion have destabilized slopes, increasing accident risks.
Local MLA Ruden Sada Lepcha expressed condolences and emphasized the need for immediate government attention.
“We cannot lose more lives on these roads,” he said. “Every accident exposes a gap in our planning — it’s time to fix it.”
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Safer Roads
The tragic Kalimpong car accident on NH10 serves as yet another painful reminder of the urgent reforms needed in mountain road safety, infrastructure, and public awareness.
As authorities continue investigations and families mourn their loved ones, experts hope that this incident pushes both the state and central governments to take stronger, preventive steps to ensure safe mobility for all.
Official Government and Safety Resources
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH): https://morth.nic.in
- National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): https://nhai.gov.in
- West Bengal Disaster Management Department: https://wbdmd.gov.in
- West Bengal Transport Department: https://transport.wb.gov.in
- West Bengal Police – Emergency Services: https://wbpolice.gov.in
- Central Road Research Institute (CRRI): https://crridom.gov.in
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Road Accident Data Management System (RADMS): https://radms.nic.in
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