Advertisement
When should a housing society in Mumbai start considering re...
From GST on JDAs to SEBI’s REIT reclassification and the S...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
The Border Roads Organisation has completed and opened a 400-foot bailey suspension steel bridge over the Taram Chu river in North Sikkim, restoring the crucial 28-kilometre Chungthang Lachen road. Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth inaugurated the bridge in Mangan district in the past week. The link had been repeatedly disrupted since the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in 2023 and subsequent extreme weather events. The restoration is expected to ease civilian movement, improve supply of essentials, revive tourism and strengthen strategic access in the sensitive border region.
Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth inaugurated the newly constructed 400-foot Taram Chu bailey suspension steel bridge in North Sikkim's Mangan district in the past week, restoring complete connectivity on the 28-kilometre Chungthang Lachen road. Advertisement
The bridge replaces the earlier structure that was washed away after a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in October 2023 triggered massive destruction across North Sikkim. Since then, repeated heavy rainfall, flash floods, the impact of Cyclone Remal in 2024 and intense cloudbursts in 2025 had further damaged roads and bridges in the region, severely affecting movement of residents, tourists and essential supplies.
The project was executed by the Border Roads Organisation under Project Swastik. Officials stated that teams worked in difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions to restore the vital axis. Over the past two years, more than 90 landslides were cleared and several damaged stretches were stabilised. A 7.5-kilometre portion of the road had been reopened earlier to provide partial relief, but full restoration depended on rebuilding the Taram Chu crossing.
During the inauguration, Seth said the bridge would significantly improve connectivity for remote border villages and ensure smoother supply of food, fuel and medical support. He acknowledged the role of BRO engineers, GREF personnel, and the support extended by the Sikkim government and the district administration in completing the work within a challenging timeframe.
The Chungthang Lachen route is strategically important as it provides access to forward areas near the India-China border and also supports tourism to Lachen and nearby destinations such as Gurudongmar Lake. Prolonged disruption had affected local livelihoods, especially those dependent on tourism and transport services.
With the commissioning of the new steel bridge, regular vehicular movement has resumed, strengthening both civilian life and defence logistics in North Sikkim. The structure has been designed to withstand high-altitude conditions, strong river currents and seismic vulnerability common to the Himalayan region.
Source PTI
FAQ
1. What infrastructure project has been completed in North Sikkim?
The Border Roads Organisation has completed and opened a 400-foot bailey suspension steel bridge over the Taram Chu river in North Sikkim. The bridge restores full connectivity along the crucial 28-kilometre Chungthang Lachen road, which had remained disrupted due to repeated natural disasters since 2023.
2. Who inaugurated the bridge and where?
The bridge was inaugurated by Sanjay Seth in Mangan district. The inauguration marks the formal restoration of a vital transport and strategic link in the sensitive Himalayan border region.
3. Why was the bridge reconstruction necessary?
The earlier structure was washed away during a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in October 2023, which caused widespread destruction across North Sikkim. Subsequent heavy rainfall, flash floods, the impact of Cyclone Remal in 2024, and cloudbursts in 2025 further damaged infrastructure, repeatedly disrupting civilian and defence movement along the route.
4. What challenges were faced during construction?
The project was executed under Project Swastik in extremely difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions. Over two years, more than 90 landslides were cleared and damaged road stretches were stabilised. While a 7.5-kilometre section had been reopened earlier for partial access, full connectivity depended on rebuilding the Taram Chu crossing.
5. How will the bridge benefit local communities and tourism?
The restored link will significantly improve movement for residents of remote border villages and ensure smoother supply of essential goods such as food, fuel, and medical supplies. It is also expected to revive tourism in Lachen and nearby destinations like Gurudongmar Lake, supporting livelihoods dependent on hospitality and transport services.
6. What is the strategic importance of the Chungthang Lachen route?
The route is strategically significant as it provides access to forward areas near the India China border, making it vital for defence logistics and troop mobility. The newly constructed steel bridge has been designed to withstand strong river currents, seismic vulnerability, and high-altitude Himalayan conditions, ensuring greater resilience against future natural disruptions.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
