North Sikkim faces crisis as delayed road repairs disrupt lives and economy

North Sikkim is facing a severe crisis due to delayed road and bridge repairs, which have disrupted daily life, hampered economic activities, and severely impacted the region's vital tourism industry. 

Residents, businesses, and tourists are struggling as key highways remain damaged, making travel difficult and unsafe. 

The slow pace of repairs by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has caused frustration among locals, who rely on these roads not only for basic necessities but also for their livelihoods. 

With multiple bridge collapses and continuous landslides worsening the situation, there is an urgent need for immediate action to restore full connectivity.

Mangan District Collectorate Anant Jain has said that the highways connecting Lachen and Lachung via Toong will require more time to be completed. However, local residents and business owners are growing increasingly frustrated with the slow progress. They have urged BRO to speed up the repair and construction work, as the delay is having a serious impact on their livelihoods.

Tourism is one of the main sources of income for the people of North Sikkim, and the poor condition of roads has led to a drastic decline in the number of visitors. Many tour operators, hoteliers, and small businesses are struggling to survive as the damaged roads have made it difficult for tourists to reach popular destinations like Lachen, Lachung, and Gurudongmar Lake.

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One of the locals from Lachung said: "Our entire economy depends on tourism. People here run hotels, taxis, and tour businesses. But if the roads are not repaired quickly, how will tourists come? The road is in such a bad condition, not because of us, but because of the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in 2023. That disaster destroyed everything. Many families lost their homes, businesses collapsed, and even today, we are still suffering. The Sikkim government is working hard, and our Minister Samdup Lepcha has done a lot, but more needs to be done. We request the government and BRO to complete these road repairs as soon as possible.”

The situation has worsened in recent months due to the collapse of key bridges, which has further disrupted connectivity in North Sikkim.

On March 14, 2025, the Dzongu Phidang Bailey Bridge in Mangan district suffered severe damage, cutting off a vital route to Lachung and Lachen.

The bridge was a crucial link for both locals and tourists, and its collapse has forced travellers to take longer, more difficult alternative routes.

Just a month earlier, on February 11, 2025, the Sankalang Bailey Bridge also collapsed into the Teesta River while a truck was crossing.

The Sankalang Bridge, built by the BRO under the Trishakti Corps, had only been operational since January 1, 2025, replacing an older bridge that was destroyed by floods in June 2024.

The collapse of the 60-meter-long bridge severely affected connectivity between Mangan and Upper Dzongu, adding an extra 90 minutes to travel time.

These back-to-back infrastructure failures have further worsened the road crisis in North Sikkim, making it almost impossible for people to travel freely. Locals, especially in remote areas, are now dependent on long and unsafe detour routes, which are not reliable during heavy rains.

The Mangan-Chungthang-Lachen-Lachung highway is maintained by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and is considered one of the most important highways in Sikkim.

It serves as a lifeline for residents, allowing them to access essential services, schools, and markets.

It is also a strategic route for the Indian Army, which requires smooth road connectivity to transport troops and supplies to the borders.

The 107 RCC is responsible for the Mangan to Chungthang section, while the 86 RCC oversees the Chungthang to Lachen stretch.

BRO officials have assured that they are working as fast as possible, but continuous landslides and heavy rainfall have slowed down progress. The worst-hit area is the Tungna stretch, where entire portions of the highway have been washed away.

Initially, officials had planned to complete the repairs by April, but due to severe weather conditions, logistical challenges, and ongoing landslides, the deadline has been pushed back by another one to two months.

To ease the situation, officials have deployed Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and additional police personnel to monitor traffic and provide guidance for travelers using alternative routes.

Currently, North Sikkim remains accessible via the Fidang-Dzongu road, which is being used as a temporary detour. However, this is not a permanent solution, as the detour is also prone to landslides and can become completely unusable during heavy monsoons.

Meanwhile, local authorities have held multiple meetings with disaster management teams, BRO, and other government officials to discuss the next course of action. They have promised to provide additional heavy machinery, rescue personnel, and emergency response units to handle future road collapses and disruptions.

Despite these measures, frustration is growing among the people of North Sikkim. Residents are now calling on the BRO and the Ministry of Defence to speed up the construction process and complete the repairs as quickly as possible.

A local from Dzongu, whose family depends on tourism for income, said:
"We are not just waiting for the roads to be built. We are praying to our gods and goddesses for help. This is a holy place, and we hope that things will get better soon. But the government and BRO need to act fast. We cannot wait forever.”

The restoration of roads and bridges in North Sikkim is now an urgent necessity. The continued delay in infrastructure development is affecting thousands of lives, damaging the economy, and discouraging tourism in the region.

With two major bridge collapses in just one month and several key highways still unusable, the BRO must expedite its work to restore full road connectivity before the situation worsens.

The people of North Sikkim cannot afford any more delays. Immediate action is required to bring back normalcy, revive tourism, and ensure that the region’s economy does not suffer further losses. The government, BRO, and all stakeholders must work together to complete the necessary repairs and rebuild a stronger, safer road network for the future.