Guwahati: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has successfully restored connectivity to North Sikkim which was snapped due to multiple landslides triggered by incessant rainfall in the region.
Showcasing its unwavering commitment, BRO undertook the massive task of restoring connectivity to the northern part of the Himalayan state under challenging conditions.
The BRO deployed multiple heavy machinery and hundreds of labourers to clear numerous landslides on various roads in the state’s Mangan district, Guwahati-based Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO), Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, said in a statement.
Incessant rains since June 11 wreaked havoc in North Sikkim causing multiple landslides and breaches at various stretches, including Dikchu-Sanklang-Toong, Mangan-Sanklang, Singtham-Rangrang and Rangrang-Toong, severing connectivity to the region. As a result, approximately 1200-1500 tourists are stranded in the region, it said.
The situation became grave after the collapse of the newly constructed suspension bridge at Sanklang, which was the primary connection to North Sikkim and the Dzongu region.
In a swift and coordinated response, the BRO has cleared multiple landslides along the Sanklang-Toong road, making it traffic-worthy for light vehicles, it added.
Similarly, the stretch between Naga and Lanthakhola on the Mangan-Chungthang road has been cleared and made traffic-worthy. However, significant breaches at traditional slide points Lanthakhola and Rafangkhola have posed further challenges.
Heavy equipment has been deployed to restore vehicular connectivity across these points at the earliest. Meanwhile, a log bridge has been constructed to facilitate foot connectivity across these breached areas, it said.
The BRO’s tireless efforts are focused on rescuing the stranded tourists from North Sikkim at the earliest opportunity. The first batch of 50 stranded tourists has been successfully evacuated from Chungthang to Mangan.
The personnel of Project Swastik have defied the odds of inclement weather, coordinating closely with the state authorities to facilitate the road evacuation of tourists, it further said.