‘Permanent repair of bridges in Chungthang will take time’: MLA Samdup Lepcha

The floods have inflicted significant damage, and the state government, along with the Border Road Organisation (BRO), is diligently working on road repairs, the MLA said

In the wake of the relentless and devastating floods that ravaged the state of Sikkim and left a trail of destruction – roads, bridges and homes washed, and at least 57 dead, the government is making all efforts to mitigate the impact and get life back on track. But the road to recovery is expected to be a lengthy one.

Speaking to Northeast Live, Lachen Mangan MLA and Roads and Bridges Minister, Samdup Lepcha, offered insight into the current situation, saying, “Tourist evacuations have been successfully completed in North Sikkim. However, the task of repairing the damaged roads will be no small feat. The floods have inflicted significant damage, and the state government, along with the Border Road Organisation (BRO), is diligently working on road repairs.”

“To reach Lachung, it is estimated to take about one and a half months to restore the road, which has been severely affected by mudslides. The roads connecting Chungthang to Lachen are in a deplorable condition due to landslides. The Indian Army, in collaboration with the BRO, is working to bring the roads back to a usable state. This will, unfortunately, take some time as the roads have been entirely severed,” added Lepcha.

The devastating floods have completely destroyed 100 houses. Permanent repair of bridges in Chungthang is being considered to be a time-consuming process. However, the construction of Bailey bridges is expected to be completed within one and a half months. The broader restoration of roads in North Sikkim is projected to take approximately 45 days.

Responding to inquiries about the road cut off from Teesta Bazar to Siliguri, Lepcha stated, “According to information from the West Bengal authorities responsible for road construction, the restoration of this road is expected to take around two weeks. The West Bengal government is actively engaged in efforts to expedite the road’s repair.”

Also Read : Sikkim flash floods day 13: Tourist spots of West Sikkim remain deserted

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