Gangtok: Four crucial bridges in North Sikkim have either collapsed or sustained significant damage in the past two months, primarily due to the unchecked movement of overloaded trucks, according to an official statement from Project Swastik on Saturday.
Project Swastik, a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) initiative, aims to improve infrastructure and connectivity in Sikkim’s border regions, especially in the northern part of the state.
The statement highlighted that the movement of overloaded trucks had led to the collapse or severe damage of vital bridges in the region.
Specifically, a 200-foot-long Bailey bridge connecting Lachung to Katao collapsed on January 4.
A second 180-foot Bailey bridge over the Teesta River at Sanklang also collapsed on February 11.
On February 20, an old Pheechu bridge on the Dikchu-Sanklang road fell, and most recently, a 320-foot Bailey Suspension bridge at Phidang suffered substantial damage on March 15.
After the Sanklang bridge collapse, the Dikchu-Sanklang-Tung axis, which connects North Sikkim, relied on the Phidang bridge for access.
However, the damage to the Phidang bridge has now cut off the region’s connectivity once again.
In response to the situation, Project Swastik has dispatched a technical team to repair the Phidang bridge as soon as possible, with plans to restore normal traffic in the next few days.
The BRO has urged the district administration to enforce strict restrictions on the movement of heavy goods vehicles to prevent further damage.
They emphasized the need for regulated vehicle movement to ensure the longevity of infrastructure, as breakdowns in connectivity not only disrupt the logistical supply lines of the Army but also impede civilian travel in North Sikkim.
