Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, September 3: Despite Thursday being a State holiday for Janmasthami, disaster management secretary-cum-Relief Commissioner BK Kharel toured extensively along landslide affected areas in South Sikkim which has choked major State highways and other connecting state roads.
The Relief Commissioner was accompanied by roads & bridges department additional chief engineer GT Dhungel and superintending engineer (south/west) Lakpa Sherpa.
After commencing the tour from the slide at Sirwani just above Lanco project site, the team visited the troubled spot at Sirwani and two other places on the Singtam Temi stretch. They also visited the Bermiok-Phongla road which has been closed totally for almost over a week now. The Bermiok-Phongla road has seen major damages and it was ascertained that the main cause for the sinking of the entire hill could be due to the Lanco project and the underground use of dynamites.
The Relief Commissioner interacted with the panchayats, villagers and the public of the affected areas at Reship, Namphing along the Bermiok-Phongla road. The officials then visited Nag dhara which has cut off Namchi and Rabongla for over a week now after the road there has totally caved in.
Kharel was satisfied with the progress of the restoration works despite inclement weather hampering the progress as slush and debris continued to disrupt the work progress. Transhipment is the only possibility for commuting along this stretch at present.
The officials then visited Seleley Bhir between Ralong and Rabongla in South Sikkim where the engineers are monitoring the work at the sites almost everyday for the last four days. They have mobilized additional labour and equipments for the restoration works caused due to the natural calamity.
Officials said since it was a natural disaster and commuters had to face problem, they were taking all steps to clear the roads so that no hardship is faced. They have sought cooperation for all.
However, the people of the area and villagers have been agitated that despite such disasters affecting people, the BDOs and the panchayats and other officials stationed in the areas have not visited the sites.
“We can see only the officials from the roads and bridges department at the sites. Although all officials travel along the route, we hardly see them enquire about our plights. We want to thank the Relief Commissioner and the roads and bridges department officials for their inspection and directions” a villager said.