2 days ago
Lachen Road Reopens After Four Months, Reviving Tourism and Travel
A very important road to Lachen in north Sikkim has reopened.
The road had been closed for about four months.
This made travel difficult for local people and tourists.
The route was damaged by floods and then broke again in April.
Workers repaired it near Taramchu Bridge.
Samdup Lepcha officially opened the repaired section.
The road also helps people visit Gurudongmar Lake.
More safety work will begin later to protect the road from rocks, soil, and landslides.
The road linking Lachen with the rest of Sikkim reopened Saturday after being cut off for four months.
Samdup Lepcha inaugurated the reconstructed stretch near Taramchu Bridge after a brief religious ritual.
The road was damaged by the October 2023 glacial lake outburst flood and cut off again on April 5.
General Reserve Engineer Force personnel restored the route without any reported casualties despite difficult terrain.
Further reinforcement work is planned from October to improve safety along the vulnerable stretch.
- Who
- Residents, tourists, tourism stakeholders, government officials, and General Reserve Engineer Force personnel are affected or involved.
- What
- A vital road connecting Lachen with the rest of Sikkim was reopened after reconstruction.
- Where
- Near Taramchu Bridge on the route connecting Lachen with the rest of the district, about 110 kilometers from Gangtok.
- When
- The road reopened on Saturday after being cut off on April 5 for four months; further reinforcement is planned from October.
- Why
- The road was damaged by natural calamities and is needed for civilian travel, tourism, and defence logistics.
Key facts
- Road status
- Reopened after four months of being cut off.
- Location
- Taramchu stretch near Lachen in north Sikkim.
- Earlier restoration
- The road was restored on February 26 before being cut off again on April 5.
- Original damage
- The route was damaged by the October 2023 glacial lake outburst flood.
- Inauguration
- Samdup Lepcha inaugurated the reconstructed stretch.
- Future work
- Reinforcement work is scheduled to begin in October.
- Uses
- The road supports civilian travel, tourism to Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake, and defence logistics.
Quotes
Samdup Lepcha
Sikkim social welfare minister and MLA of the Lachen-Mangan constituency
“The government would continue making every effort to keep vital routes open despite the challenges posed by natural calamities, stressing that the people of Lachen deserved reliable connectivity”
telegraphindia.com
“Despite the challenges of rugged terrain, the restoration work had been completed without a single casualty”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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