Monday Traffic Alert: Local Haats and NH-10 Repairs to Slow Down Siliguri Commutes
Siliguri, April 19, 2026 — As the workweek begins, commuters in and around Siliguri should brace for a sluggish Monday commute. The Siliguri Traffic Police has issued a detailed traffic bulletin for April 20, advising citizens to drive cautiously as major road corridors will experience slow traffic flow due to a combination of highway construction and bustling Monday markets (Haats).
Authorities have strictly requested locals and tourists to obey the active route diversions, particularly those rushing to Bagdogra Airport or NJP Railway Station.
Ongoing Construction and Key Choke Points
Drivers are urged to maintain a safe following distance and significantly reduce speeds across several active work zones:
Darjeeling More Crossing: A perennial congestion point, the junction is currently undergoing major development work. Police strongly advise commuters to bypass this crossing using alternate routes wherever possible.
NH-10 Corridors: Repair and improvement activities are actively underway along the stretch from Siliguri Gate to Champasari More, as well as in Salugara. Traffic will be notably slow in these carriageway work zones.
Sahudangi–Ambari Link Bridge (Canal More): The bridge remains completely closed to facilitate the construction of a new one. Vehicles traveling between Belacoba/Siliguri and Ambari/Sahudangi must detour via Nawapara More.
Monday Market (Haat) Delays
Adding to the Monday rush, three major local markets will be fully operational, causing heavy vehicular congestion in their respective areas:
Salugara Haat (Salugara): Traffic will be heavily affected for a massive 12-hour window, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Fulbari Haat (Fulbari): Expect slow traffic flow during the second half of the day, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Ambari Haat (Ambari Road): Delays are expected from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Crucial Diversions for Airport, NJP, and Hill Travelers
To prevent major gridlocks, the Siliguri Traffic Police has mandated strict route guidelines for light vehicles and passenger cars:
To the Hills (Darjeeling, Kurseong, Mirik): Vehicles coming from Bagdogra Airport or NJP Station must utilize the Noukaghat route via Kawakhali and Khaprail Road.
To Bagdogra Airport: Vehicles coming from Jalpaiguri, as well as those descending from Darjeeling, are advised to completely avoid the Darjeeling More junction. Use Khaprail Road instead.
To NJP Station: Avoid Sevoke Road. Commuters should use the Phansidewa Underpass via Kawakhali and Noukaghat.
From Sikkim & Kalimpong: Vehicles heading down toward NJP Station or Bagdogra Airport must use the Eastern Bypass via the Bhaktinagar Check Post.
Goods Vehicles Strictly Restricted
To ease the pressure on the city’s inner roads, the movement of goods vehicles towards the town remains strictly restricted:
Trucks and heavy vehicles arriving from the Bagdogra or Paribahan Nagar side are barred from using Darjeeling More and must take the Phansidewa Underpass.
Goods vehicles descending from Sikkim and Kalimpong are advised to completely avoid Champasari and Darjeeling More, routing instead through the Eastern Bypass.
The Siliguri Traffic Police has requested all drivers to cooperate with on-ground personnel and factor in extra buffer time for their Monday travel plans.
