Four Bridges in North Sikkim Collapsed or Severely Damaged Due to Overloaded Trucks: BRO

GANTOK-  In the past two months, four crucial bridges in North Sikkim have either collapsed or been severely damaged due to the movement of overloaded trucks, according to a statement  from Project Swastik under the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) said. This project aims to improve infrastructure and connectivity in the border areas of Sikkim, particularly in North Sikkim.

The first incident occurred on January 4, when a 200-foot-long Bailey bridge connecting Lachung to Katao collapsed due to the excessive weight of trucks crossing it. On February 11, a 180-foot-long Bailey bridge over the Teesta River at Sanklang also collapsed under similar circumstances. Another critical bridge, the old Pheechu bridge on the Dikchu-Sanklang road, collapsed on February 20. The most recent incident took place on March 15, when a 320-foot Bailey suspension bridge at Phidang was severely damaged due to overloaded truck traffic.

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The collapse of the Sanklang bridge had already disrupted access to North Sikkim, forcing traffic to rely on the Dikchu-Sanklang-Tung axis through the Phidang bridge. However, with the damage to the Phidang bridge, the region was once again cut off from essential connectivity.

Sensing the urgency, BRO’s Project Swastik team mobilized swiftly to repair the Phidang bridge. Light vehicle traffic has since been restored, offering relief to commuters. Authorities are hopeful that normal traffic will be fully restored soon.

In light of these repeated incidents, Project Swastik has called on the district administration to enforce strict regulations on the movement of heavy vehicles to prevent further damage. Overloading has been identified as a primary cause of the destruction, which disrupts both military logistics and civilian travel in the region.

Following the damage to the Phidang bridge, a case was filed against the truck driver responsible for the incident. The driver is being investigated under Section 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, and Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act. The authorities are urging truck drivers to adhere to load regulations to prevent similar incidents and ensure road safety.

BRO continues to work around the clock to restore and fortify the infrastructure in North Sikkim, which is vital for the region’s connectivity and the security of the border areas.