Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth on Wednesday inaugurated the Chungthang–Lachen axis and the 400-ft Bailey Suspension Taram Chu Bridge in North Sikkim, restored by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
The infrastructure was rebuilt by the Border Roads Organisation as part of post-disaster recovery efforts following cloudbursts in May–June 2025, Cyclone Remal in June 2024 and a glacial lake outburst flood in October 2023, the defence ministry said.
To re-establish vital lines of communication, the BRO cleared 96 landslides, built four major bridges and repaired two others under Project Swastik. Engineering teams also completed eight kilometres of fresh road formation cutting and created multiple diversions to bypass unstable slopes and sinking zones. These works followed the opening of the 7.5-km Naga–Toong stretch in October 2025, which helped restore access to the region.
The completion of the 28-km Chungthang–Lachen road and the Taram Chu Bridge is expected to improve mobility for local residents and security agencies while supporting economic activity in North Sikkim.
Seth said the new assets were critical for infrastructure development and the well-being of local communities, and praised the BRO for its sustained efforts in difficult terrain. The projects align with the “Atmanirbhar Sikkim–Viksit Bharat” vision outlined by the state government, the ministry added.
