Indian Army engineers from the Trishakti Corps, supported by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and local administration, swiftly constructed a 70-feet Bailey Bridge on the Dikchu-Sanklang road in Gangtok, Sikkim. This urgent response was aimed at restoring connectivity to areas severely affected by recent floods in the state.
The construction of the Bailey Bridge commenced on June 23 and was successfully completed within an impressive timeframe of 72 hours despite challenging conditions including heavy rainfall and technical constraints. This bridge plays a crucial role in reestablishing vehicular traffic from Dikchu to Sanklang, thereby enabling the transport of essential supplies and critical medical aid to the affected people in Mangan district.
The efforts of the Indian Army were acknowledged and appreciated by Mr. Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, the State Forest Minister and Secretary of Disaster Management, who visited the site on June 27.
In addition to this Bailey Bridge, on the same day, June 23, the Trishakti Corps also constructed a 150-foot suspension bridge in North Sikkim. This suspension bridge was vital in reconnecting remote border villages that had been isolated due to the heavy rains, ensuring essential relief and support reached the local residents.
The unprecedented heavy rains since June 11 have triggered numerous landslides and road breaches across North Sikkim, disrupting connectivity via major routes like Dikchu-Sanklang-Toong, Mangan-Sanklang, Singtham-Rangrang, and Rangrang-Toong. The prompt and efficient construction of these bridges by the Indian Army has played a crucial role in restoring essential connectivity and facilitating relief efforts in the flood-affected regions of Sikkim.
