Laven-Lingzya bailey suspension bridge nears completion

The long-awaited 400-feet Bailey Suspension Bridge over the Kanaka River, connecting Laven with Lingzya in Upper Dzongu, is now in the final stages of construction. Designed to a load class of 18R, the bridge is expected to be completed within a week, significantly boosting connectivity for the remote villages of Sakyong-Pentong and Tingvong GPUs in the Dzongu region under Mangan District.

Hon’ble Minister for Forest and Area MLA of Dzongu, Shri Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, personally visited the construction site on Saturday to assess the progress. He was accompanied by Karma Tshering Lepcha, the Panchayat Vice President of Lingthem-Lingdem GPU. The visit underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that infrastructure development reaches even the most remote corners of the state.

The construction work is progressing rapidly, with teams working around the clock to meet the completion timeline. This bridge is considered a lifeline for the local communities, offering a vital link for transportation, emergency services, and trade.

"The bridge has been a long-standing need of the people of Upper Dzongu. With its completion, we are not just connecting villages — we are connecting people to opportunities," said Minister Pintso Namgyal Lepcha during the site inspection.

Once operational, the new Bailey Suspension Bridge is expected to ease movement for residents and boost socio-economic development in the region. It will also provide safer and more reliable access during monsoon months when traditional routes often become impassable.