Officials rush to Bop after road blockage; relief efforts underway in North Sikkim
The District Collector also directed the Power Department to speed up electricity restoration in the affected areas of Chungthang, Lachen, and Lachung.
LOCAL
In a prompt and coordinated response to the road blockage near Bop on the Chungthang-Lachung route, top district officials of Mangan visited the affected site on Thursday to take stock of the situation and begin immediate restoration work.
District Collector of Mangan, Anant Jain, led the team of officials, which included the Superintendent of Police, SDM Chungthang, SDPO Chungthang, SHO Lachung/Chungthang, Deputy Director of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), ADC (Development) Chungthang, and local headman (Pipon) of Lachung.
The blockage has severely disrupted travel along the key route that connects Chungthang with the popular tourist destinations of Lachung and Lachen. Understanding the urgency, Mr. Jain instructed the 86/115 GREF unit to quickly mobilize equipment to start clearing the debris. Simultaneously, SDM Chungthang has been tasked with coordinating with private construction firms in the area to use their available machinery to fast-track the work.
Tourists currently stranded in Lachung and Lachen have been asked to remain in their hotels until the road is reopened. Local hotel owners have stepped in to assist, ensuring that all stranded visitors are provided with proper food and accommodation. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or medical emergencies so far.
The District Collector also directed the Power Department to speed up electricity restoration in the affected areas of Chungthang, Lachen, and Lachung. Power supply had been disrupted due to the adverse weather and road conditions.
Jain announced that he would remain on-site to oversee the relief work personally. He plans to visit Leema on Friday, once the Bop road is cleared, and will also assess road conditions at Munshithang during his field inspection.
The district administration has assured residents and tourists that every effort is being made to restore normalcy as quickly as possible. Officials continue to work round the clock to ensure safety, with a focus on road connectivity, power supply, and basic facilities.