🚧 North Sikkim Road Update: Sankalang Bailey Bridge Developments
As of May 2025, North Sikkim's road infrastructure has undergone significant changes, especially concerning the Sankalang Bailey Bridge—a crucial link between Mangan and the Dzongu region.
🛠️ Reconstruction Efforts
On February 11, 2025, the 180-foot Bailey bridge at Sankalang collapsed while a truck was crossing it, disrupting connectivity between Mangan and Upper Dzongu. The Indian Army's 72 Engineer Regiment of the Trishakti Corps swiftly reconstructed the bridge, completing it in record time despite challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions. The new bridge, with a 24-tonne load capacity, was opened for traffic on April 28, 2025, restoring vital connectivity in the region.
🧳 Tourist Evacuations Amid Landslides
In late April 2025, heavy rainfall triggered massive landslides at Munshithang, severely blocking main roadways and stranding over 1,000 tourists in the Lachen and Lachung regions. Authorities mobilized the alternative Sankalang Bailey bridge route to evacuate the stranded tourists safely. The Sikkim Police's Permit Cell suspended all tourist permits for North Sikkim from April 25 until further notice due to hazardous travel conditions.
⚠️ Ongoing Challenges
Despite the reconstruction efforts, the region continues to face challenges. On March 15, 2025, the 320-foot Bailey suspension bridge at Phidang suffered severe damage due to the movement of overloaded trucks, once again disrupting connectivity to North Sikkim. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) repaired the bridge in record time, restoring movement for light vehicles. However, authorities have urged strict enforcement of weight restrictions to prevent further damage.
🛣️ Future Outlook
Efforts are ongoing to improve the road infrastructure in North Sikkim. In coordination with the army, the BRO has been working on constructing bridges at Phidang and Toong to restore the shortest connectivity to Chungthang and Dzongu. The Toong Bridge is expected to be opened for traffic by the end of this month, bringing much-needed relief to the region.
Stay tuned for more updates on North Sikkim's road conditions and infrastructure developments.
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