High-level committee on Lachen connectivity restoration visits Tarum Chu site

MANGAN, (IPR): Under the direction and supervision of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, the high-level committee constituted for the restoration of connectivity to Lachen visited Tarum Chu site on Tuesday.

The team comprised of Principal Chief Engineer-cum-Secretary, Roads and Bridges department, AB Subba, Secretary Mines & Geology department Dicky Yangzom, Special Secretary, Land Revenue & Disaster Management department, Hem Chettri, Director SSDMA LR&DMD, Prabhakar Rai, Principal Director, Mines & Geology department, Phigu Bhutia, Conservator of Forest, Forest & Environment department, Suraj Thatal, DC Mangan, Anant Jain, Chief Engineer, Project Swastik, Brig. Amit Sakhre, DFO (Environment), Tseten Wangyal, ASP Mangan Bijoy Subba, SDM Chungthang, Arun Chettri, SDPO Chungthang Chandan Chhetri, Pipons of Lachen Dzumsa Khaychotak Lachenpa and Cho Bandu Lachenpa, officers and officials from line departments.

The high-level committee visited the Tarum Chu site to assess the prevailing ground situation and examine feasible options for the restoration of connectivity to Lachen.

During the visit, the members reviewed the ongoing road restoration works currently underway and evaluated measures for the safe and expeditious restoration of access.

The committee also undertook a detailed assessment of the affected area and deliberated on both immediate and long-term strategies to ensure sustainable connectivity.

The committee conducted an extensive inspection and reviewed the progress of the makeshift road currently under construction, involving extensive rock-cutting operations, and deliberated on various options for restoration and long-term connectivity. GREF officials informed the committee that the ongoing works are progressing steadily and are expected to be completed broadly as per schedule.

GREF also briefed the committee on permanent mitigation measures in the pipeline, including the construction of a 200-metre-span Steel Double Arch Bridge across the affected stretch. The bridge is envisaged as a long-term solution to ensure uninterrupted connectivity through the vulnerable section.

The feasibility of an alternate permanent restoration measure through the construction of an approximately 186-metre-long tunnel bypassing the affected area was also discussed during the visit.

Discussions focused on identifying practical solutions to address the challenges posed by the terrain and to facilitate the timely restoration of road access to the region.