Snow clearance by BRO boosts tourism at Nathu La

GANGTOK,: Heavy snowfall and extreme winter conditions have severely disrupted connectivity in East Sikkim over the past week, impacting key routes to Nathu La Pass (14,140 ft), Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir, and the strategically significant Dzuluk Loops, known for sharp hairpin bends and steep gradients.

Despite temperatures dropping to nearly -20°C and roads being covered under thick snow, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has undertaken relentless efforts to restore and maintain connectivity in the region, a press release informs.

This reopening of strategic Nathu La route and access to the sacred Baba Mandir has also provided a boost to the local economy, revitalizing business opportunities for communities dependent on tourism, said the BRO.

The remarkable coordinated efforts of the Sikkim Tourism department and Project Swastik have ensured that the route remains safe, efficient, and well-managed despite challenging terrain and climatic conditions, the release mentions.