The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has successfully restored the crucial Chungthang–Lachen axis in North Sikkim, a significant achievement following a series of natural calamities over the past two years. This restoration effort, inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, included the reopening of the 28-km Chungthang–Lachen road and a 400-feet-long Bailey Suspension Bridge at Taram Chu, providing essential connectivity to the remote region.
The Lachen axis faced severe damage from the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in October 2023, Cyclone Remal in June 2024, and devastating cloudbursts in May–June 2025. These disasters had disrupted road access for months, impacting local communities, security forces, and the transportation of vital supplies. Project Swastik of the BRO, under Brigadier Amit Sakhre’s leadership, undertook extensive operations to restore the route, involving the clearance of landslides, construction and repair of bridges, and formation cutting over challenging terrain.
The reopening of the axis serves as a critical link for residents, security agencies, and economic activities in North Sikkim, showcasing engineering resilience and community cooperation. Minister Seth highlighted the significance of this achievement in enhancing connectivity in the region, praising the BRO’s efforts and affirming the government’s dedication to the area’s development and welfare.
