Gangtok: A 200-foot-long Bailey bridge connecting Lachung with the border area of Katao in North Sikkim collapsed on Saturday afternoon, disrupting connectivity to several villages.
The bridge, constructed in 1999, provided vital access to the Katao axis and linked the other half of Lachung village, located across the Lachung Chu River in Mangan District. The incident occurred as an overloaded vehicle attempted to cross the aging structure. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
Mangan District Collector Anant Jain confirmed the collapse and stated that the bridge, overseen by the Indian Army, will be reconstructed promptly. “The bridge was very old and it collapsed when an overloaded vehicle ferrying supplies for the locals was crossing over the bridge. It was a commercial vehicle, there were no casualties, the driver is safe,” he said.
The District Collector attributed the collapse to the deteriorated condition of the bridge combined with the vehicle exceeding its load capacity. He assured that engineers would assess the situation and that the Indian Army would prioritise the bridge’s restoration, given its strategic importance.
The collapse has severed road connectivity with Katao and Sharchok villages, though a footbridge remains operational. Essential supplies and the movement of locals can still be managed via this alternative route, Jain added.
He also emphasised that no tourists were stranded by the incident, as Katao, located near the Indo-China border, is not open to tourists. Additionally, access to popular destinations such as Yumthang Valley and Zero Point, located beyond Lachung, remains unaffected.
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