BRO Restores Road Access to Lachung; Tourist Evacuation Set to Begin from June 2
BRO Restores Road Access to Lachung; Tourist Evacuation Set to Begin from June 2
North Sikkim, June 1 : After days of relentless rain and a sudden cloudburst on May 30, which triggered widespread devastation across North Sikkim, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has successfully reestablished road connectivity to Lachung. This critical achievement sets the stage for the safe evacuation of hundreds of stranded tourists starting June 2.
The disaster, marked by rainfall exceeding 130mm, caused severe damage to key routes leading to major tourist hotspots like Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar Lake, the Valley of Flowers, and Zero Point. Several landslides and road collapses were reported along major arteries, including the Dikchu–Sanklang–Shipgyer stretch and the Chungthang-Lachen-Zeema and Chungthang-Lachung roads. Two crucial bailey bridges—located at Munsithang and Zeema on the Lachen axis—were swept away, effectively isolating Lachen from both directions.
Further compounding the crisis, the surging Teesta River eroded land near the Phidang bailey suspension bridge, placing its towers at serious risk. The bridge, being the sole vehicular crossing in that region, is a vital link for access to northern areas of the district, and its endangerment triggered widespread public concern.
In response, the BRO launched emergency restoration operations under extremely challenging conditions. Braving continuous rainfall, treacherous terrain, and limited visibility, BRO personnel under Project Swastik worked tirelessly around the clock. Their swift and determined actions included clearing massive landslides, repairing broken road segments, and stabilizing dangerously eroded sections near the Phidang bridge.
Thanks to 48 hours of unrelenting effort, the BRO managed to restore one-way vehicular movement to Lachung by the evening of June 1.
This critical breakthrough will now allow for the phased and safe evacuation of tourists via the Lachung–Chungthang–Shipgyer–Sanklang–Dikchu route. Restoration efforts along the remaining stretches, especially towards Lachen, are continuing at full pace.
As the monsoon season intensifies, the BRO remains committed to long-term stabilization and resilience-building along these high-risk roads. Their professionalism, bravery, and dedication have drawn widespread praise from both the local population and civil authorities, underscoring the BRO’s essential role in safeguarding connectivity in India’s most remote and disaster-prone regions.
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