The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has successfully restored the Bailey Bridge over the Phee Chu in Sikkim, just five days after it was washed away by a boulder collapse and landslide triggered by heavy rainfall on June 28. The bridge, which is a crucial road link to Lower Dzongu and North Sikkim, was inaugurated on Saturday by Forest Minister and Dzongu MLA Pintso Namgyal Lepcha. Lepcha praised the BRO for their swift coordination and dedication, saying that the organisation had fulfilled their commitment to restore the bridge within two to three days.
The Minister also expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of North Sikkim, saying that the BRO’s efforts deserve immense appreciation. The bridge collapse had affected nearly seven Gram Panchayat Units (GPUs) and had cut off connectivity to the area. However, the BRO’s efforts have restored the vital connectivity, which will bring significant relief to the residents of Dzongu.
The newly inaugurated Bailey Bridge will serve as an interim arrangement until a permanent bridge is constructed. The permanent bridge project is already underway, with its substructure completed, and is expected to be launched from October. The BRO has also restored the Sangkalang Road, which had suffered extensive landslides and formation cuts due to heavy rainfall.
The organisation has also mapped alternative routes and maintained updated inventories of machinery and bridge components, enabling them to respond rapidly to natural disasters. Most roads in Mangan district have now been restored, with Dzongu accessible through the Phidang-Sangkalang Road and Lachung through the Tingvong Road. Lachen remains inaccessible through the main road near Taram Chu, but vehicles can reach it through the longer Dongkyala route.
The BRO expects to restore the damaged stretch by around July 15 to 20. The Chief Engineer of Project Swastik, Brigadier Amit Sakhre, said that the unprecedented rise in the water level of Phee Chu completely destroyed the temporary Bailey Bridge. Despite continuous rain and difficult conditions, the BRO completed the launch of the new Bailey Bridge within five days.
The reopening of the bridge will ensure the smooth movement of Indian Army convoys through this route. The district administration had also played a crucial role in the restoration efforts, with the District Collector personally visiting the site several times. The administration had also mapped alternative routes and maintained updated inventories of machinery and bridge components, enabling them to respond rapidly to natural disasters.
