Mangan: Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth on Thursday inaugurated the newly constructed 400-foot-long Bailey suspension steel bridge over Taram Chu, marking the full restoration of connectivity along the 28-kilometre Chungthang-Lachen road in North Sikkim.
The strategic road link was rebuilt by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) after successive natural calamities washed away road stretches, triggered landslides and damaged bridges.
Several remote communities, including Lachen, remained cut off for months, severely affecting the movement of essential commodities, tourists and security forces.
Addressing the gathering, Seth reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consistent focus on border infrastructure, describing frontier villages as the “first homes” of the nation.
He termed the reopening of the Chungthang–Lachen axis and the Taram Chu Bridge a “big gift to the nation” and a lifeline for North Sikkim.
Emphasising that strong roads and bridges are critical not only for civilian life but also for national security, he said development of border areas remains a priority under the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047” and flagship connectivity initiatives such as Bharatmala.
He also commended BRO personnel for clearing 96 landslides, constructing and repairing bridges, and working under extreme terrain and weather conditions to restore the vital route.
Lachen–Mangan MLA and Social Welfare Minister Samdup Lepcha said the region had remained cut off for nearly nine months, forcing residents to take long detours through Lachung and other routes.
The disruption made transportation of ration supplies, sugar, medicines and LPG cylinders extremely difficult.
He said the people of Lachen were deeply concerned during the prolonged isolation but are now relieved and grateful following the reopening.
Lepcha added that local youth and labourers were engaged in the restoration works, which helped sustain livelihoods during the crisis, and described the completed bridge as a significant boost to the lifestyle and economy of the region.
Mangan District Collector Anant Jain said the destruction of the last remaining bridge after the June 1, 2025 disaster had completely severed Lachen’s direct connectivity.
He explained that the stretch from Chungthang to the bridge site covers about 15 kilometres and takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes to traverse, with a similar duration required onward to Lachen.
When both bridges along the stretch were damaged by flash floods and landslides, administrative coordination, emergency response and supply movement became extremely challenging.
He said the district administration worked in close coordination with BRO, the Army and line departments to ensure continued delivery of essential services despite logistical constraints. Supplies had to be routed through longer alternative routes, increasing travel time and operational complexity.
Jain stated that restoration efforts were regularly monitored through field inspections and coordination meetings, with special emphasis on slope stability and long-term structural safety.
He clarified that the road and bridge are now open for civilian and tourist movement, and that an official notification will soon be issued in consultation with BRO specifying operational guidelines and an 18-tonne load limit for tourist vehicles to ensure safety.
He added that the bridge serves as the primary access route for civilians, tourists and Army movement, and its reopening restores normal administrative functioning and strengthens emergency preparedness in the strategically important border subdivision.
Tourism Development Board Chairman Sonam Norgay Lachungpa described the reopening as a major boost for North Sikkim’s tourism sector, which has suffered repeated setbacks over the past three years due to natural disasters.
He expressed hope that key destinations, including Gurudongmar Lake at over 17,000 feet, would soon witness the return of visitors. Noting that more than 100 hotels in Lachen depend directly and indirectly on tourism, he termed the restored connectivity a significant relief and an important step towards economic revival in the region.
Also Read: Survey flags low pay, safety risks in Arunachal’s media sector