BRO restores Phee Khola Bailey Bridge in five days, reconnects Dzongu

KUNAL RAI

GANGTOK,: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) restored the Bailey Bridge over Phee Chu (Phee Khola) near Phidang within five days after it was washed away by landslide triggered by heavy rainfall on June 28, restoring a crucial road link to Lower Dzongu and North Sikkim.

The bridge was inaugurated on Saturday by Forest minister and area MLA Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, who described the achievement as an example of swift coordination between the district administration and BRO.

“The temporary bridge over Phee Chu was damaged on Sunday night due to heavy rainfall. As a result, connectivity was completely cut off," Lepcha said. "Despite this, BRO made remarkable efforts and assured us that the Bailey Bridge would be restored within two to three days. They have fulfilled that commitment exactly as promised. Today, we have formally inaugurated the bridge and officially reopened this vital connectivity."

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the people of North Sikkim, the minister said, "On behalf of the Government of Sikkim and the people of this area, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and sincere gratitude to BRO. Their dedication and efficiency deserve immense appreciation."

He added that the government hoped the same level of commitment would continue during future disasters.

"We hope that whenever disasters cause damage in the future - whether bridges are washed away or roads are blocked - work can be carried out with the same speed and commitment so that connectivity is restored quickly."

Highlighting the importance of the route, Lepcha said the bridge collapse had affected nearly seven Gram Panchayat Units (GPUs).

"This bridge provides access towards Phidang, Sangkalang, Dzongu, and onward routes leading to Chungthang, Lachen, Lachung and Dongkya La. The DSM Road plays a vital role whenever the main highway is blocked, which is why restoring this bridge was so crucial."

He also credited the district administration for continuously monitoring the situation. "Our district collector personally visited the site several times. Because of the coordinated efforts of all departments and agencies, we have successfully reopened this bridge."

Mangan DC Anant Jain said the existing preparations for a permanent bridge significantly accelerated restoration efforts.

"The Phee Chu bridge collapsed on June 28 following extremely heavy rainfall. The force of the water caused the bridge to fail," Jain said.

"The very next day, officials from the district administration, BRO, the police and I personally visited the site. Fortunately, the abutments and concrete foundations for a permanent bridge had already been constructed. BRO immediately coordinated with its Regional Construction Centre, arranged all the required bridge components within a day, and within two to three days successfully launched the Bailey Bridge."

Clarifying the impact on nearby villages, Jain said, "Only Lum and a few adjoining villages were temporarily cut off. Lower Dzongu could still be accessed through the Sangkalang route."

On monsoon preparedness, he said the district administration had already mapped alternative routes and maintained updated inventories of machinery and bridge components.

"When this bridge collapsed, BRO already knew where the required bridge materials were available. Such advance planning enables us to respond rapidly whenever natural disasters occur."

Providing an update on road connectivity across North Sikkim, Jain said, "Most roads in Mangan district have now been restored. Dzongu is accessible through the Phidang-Sangkalang Road and Lachung through the Tingvong Road. Lachen remains inaccessible through the main road near Taram Chu, but vehicles can reach it through the longer Dongkyala route. BRO expects to restore the damaged stretch by around July 15 to 20."

Project Swastik chief engineer Brigadier Amit Sakhre said the unprecedented rise in the water level of Phee Chu completely destroyed the temporary Bailey Bridge.

"We immediately initiated action by mobilising our bridge stores, equipment and personnel. Despite continuous rain and difficult conditions, we completed the launch of this Bailey Bridge within the last five days," he said.

"The reopening of this bridge will bring significant relief to the residents of Dzongu who had lost road connectivity. It will also ensure the smooth movement of Indian Army convoys through this route."

Sakhre also highlighted BRO's broader restoration work.

"The Sangkalang Road had suffered extensive landslides and formation cuts due to heavy rainfall. Within one to one-and-a-half months we restored it for light vehicles, and yesterday we also opened it for heavy vehicles."

On the permanent bridge project, he said the newly inaugurated Bailey Bridge would serve only as an interim arrangement.

"The bridge that collapsed was constructed around two years ago as a temporary Bailey Bridge. A permanent bridge was already under construction here, and its substructure has been completed. The permanent bridge alignment is much farther away from the Phee Chu, making it far less vulnerable to flood damage."

"Our immediate priority was to restore connectivity. Once the monsoon subsides, we plan to begin launching the permanent bridge from October," Sakhre added.