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BRO Restores Vital Chungthang-Lachen Road in North Sikkim After Disasters

The Border Roads Organisation has successfully restored the critical 28-km Chungthang-Lachen road axis in North Sikkim, which was severely damaged by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, Cyclone Remal, and cloudbursts over two years. The project, led by Brigadier Amit Sakhre, involved clearing 96 landslides and constructing four major bridges under extremely challenging conditions. Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth inaugurated the restored road and a new 400-foot Bailey Suspension Bridge at Taram Chu. This restoration reopens a vital lifeline for local communities, security forces, and economic activity in the strategically important region.

Key Points: BRO Restores Critical Chungthang-Lachen Axis in North Sikkim

  • Road restored after GLOF & cyclone damage
  • 28-km axis & 400-ft bridge inaugurated
  • 96 landslides cleared, 4 bridges built
  • Vital lifeline for locals & security
  • Project led by Brigadier Amit Sakhre
2 min read

Chungthang-Lachen axis: Vital connectivity to North Sikkim restored after successive disasters (Ld)

Border Roads Organisation reopens vital Chungthang-Lachen road after GLOF, cyclone, and cloudbursts, restoring connectivity to remote North Sikkim.

"herculean task - officials"

Gangtok, Feb 26

The Border Roads Organisation has successfully restored the critical Chungthang-Lachen axis in North Sikkim, marking a major milestone in post-disaster recovery efforts following a series of natural calamities over the past two years, officials said on Thursday.

Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth on Thursday inaugurated the restored 28-km Chungthang-Lachen road along with a 400-feet-long Bailey Suspension Bridge at Taram Chu, ensuring much-needed connectivity to the strategically important and remote region of North Sikkim.

The Lachen axis had suffered extensive damage due to the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in October 2023, Cyclone Remal in June 2024 and devastating cloudbursts in May-June 2025.

The repeated disasters had cut off road access for months, severely affecting local communities, security forces and the movement of essential supplies.

Following sustained engineering efforts under extremely challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions, Project Swastik of the BRO, led by Brigadier Amit Sakhre, undertook round-the-clock operations to restore the route.

The project involved clearance of 96 landslides, construction of four major bridges, repair of two damaged bridges and creation of multiple diversions.

Engineers also carried out fresh formation cutting over eight kilometres of highly treacherous terrain to re-establish the line of communication.

The organisation's efforts had earlier resulted in the opening of the 7.5-km Naga-Toong stretch in October 2025, which provided partial connectivity to North Sikkim.

Describing the restoration as a "herculean task," officials said the work demanded continuous execution due to unstable slopes, frequent weather disruptions and multiple sinking zones.

The reopening of the axis restores a vital lifeline for residents, security agencies and economic activity in the region, reflecting both engineering resilience and strong cooperation from local communities.

In his address, Minister Seth said the completion of the Chungthang-Lachen road and the Taram Chu Bridge was a significant step towards strengthening connectivity in North Sikkim.

He expressed appreciation for the BRO's selfless service and reaffirmed the government's commitment to the region's development and the well-being of its people.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
As someone from a Himalayan state, I know how isolating it feels when the only road gets washed away. My heart goes out to the people of Lachen who endured this for so long. Hats off to the BRO for this herculean effort. Hope the infrastructure is now more disaster-resilient.
A
Aman W
Great work, but we need to ask the tough questions. With climate change making GLOFs and cloudbursts more frequent, is just rebuilding the same road enough? We need long-term, sustainable engineering solutions for our border areas, not just quick fixes after every disaster.
S
Sarah B
The scale of the work is mind-boggling - 96 landslides cleared! This is a testament to human perseverance. The local communities who supported this effort deserve equal praise. Connectivity is the first step towards development and better lives.
V
Vikram M
Strategic connectivity in the Himalayas is non-negotiable. While we celebrate this achievement, the government must ensure consistent funding and modern equipment for the BRO. Our brave personnel shouldn't have to fight the terrain with outdated tools.
N
Nisha Z
Finally! My cousin is posted in that sector and the supply issues were a constant worry. This restoration is a lifeline for our armed forces stationed there. Thank you, BRO. 🙏 The nation sleeps peacefully because of such efforts.

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