Sikkim: Flood battered Chungthang-Lachen road to reopen for light vehicles before Feb 28

Reported by Prakash Adhikari | Copy edited by Lipika Roy

After being closed for more than four months due to damage caused by the devastating floods triggered by the glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) at the Lhonak Lake in the Chungthang area of North Sikkim on October 4, the Chungthang-Lachen road will reopen for light vehicles before February 28, said the government.

Days after Lachen Dzumsa, a traditional self-governing institution of the Lachen village in North Sikkim has submitted a memorandum to Chief Secretary of the state, V B Pathak over unresolved aftermath of GLOF, the Chief Secretary today chaired a high level meeting with Minister Roads and Bridges Samdup Lepcha, chief engineer of General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), Secretary Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department along with his officials, Officials from the State Animal Husbandry Department, and Dzumsa executive.

During the meeting Chief Engineer GREF has assured to open the Chungthang to Lachen Road for light vehicles before February 28 and for heavy vehicle it would open before March 31, 2024.

As per their commitment they have started deploying more machineries to the worksite for early completion of the repair work.

Chief Secretary V B Pathak has also directed the Secretary of Land Revenue to dispatch a survey team for the assessment of wash-away lands and properties as soon as possible.

As per the instruction of Chief Secretary, the District Administration and Sub-division has issued a letter for survey and assessment of land and other properties washed away by flah floods to be conducted on January 20.

Additionally, V B Pathak has given the Secretary of Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department instructions to release funds immidiately for the purchase of livestock feed, and the same is in process.

He has also assure to provide incentives or grant in aid to the local business owners for their loss after the proper assessment of same.

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