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Politics
Sikkim High Court orders three‑week review of NH‑10 odd‑even traffic rule
✍️ The News Mill
🗓 24 Sep 2026, 01:01 PM
👁 12
The Sikkim High Court has directed the state government to reassess the odd‑even vehicle restriction on National Highway 10 within three weeks.
The Sikkim High Court issued a directive on Monday requiring the state government to evaluate the odd‑even traffic scheme imposed on National Highway 10. The court has set a strict deadline of three weeks for the review, signalling the judiciary's concern over the policy's impact.
The odd‑even rule, introduced earlier this year to curb congestion and pollution on the busy highway, mandates that vehicles with odd-numbered plates travel on certain days and even-numbered plates on others. Authorities had hoped the measure would ease traffic flow and improve air quality in the region.
In its order, the bench asked the transport department to submit a comprehensive report detailing the scheme's effectiveness, any challenges faced by commuters, and recommendations for possible adjustments. The court emphasized that the review should be based on concrete data rather than assumptions.
The government has pledged to comply with the court's order and will present its findings before the stipulated deadline. Stakeholders, including local commuters and transport operators, are expected to be consulted during the assessment process.
The decision comes as the state continues to balance developmental needs with environmental concerns, especially on a critical corridor like NH‑10 that connects Sikkim with the rest of the country.
The odd‑even rule, introduced earlier this year to curb congestion and pollution on the busy highway, mandates that vehicles with odd-numbered plates travel on certain days and even-numbered plates on others. Authorities had hoped the measure would ease traffic flow and improve air quality in the region.
In its order, the bench asked the transport department to submit a comprehensive report detailing the scheme's effectiveness, any challenges faced by commuters, and recommendations for possible adjustments. The court emphasized that the review should be based on concrete data rather than assumptions.
The government has pledged to comply with the court's order and will present its findings before the stipulated deadline. Stakeholders, including local commuters and transport operators, are expected to be consulted during the assessment process.
The decision comes as the state continues to balance developmental needs with environmental concerns, especially on a critical corridor like NH‑10 that connects Sikkim with the rest of the country.