New Delhi, Feb 26 (NationPress) The Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, officially opened the Chungthang-Lachen axis along with a 400 ft Bailey Suspension Taram Chu Bridge in North Sikkim, which has been restored by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), as announced by an official on Thursday.

“This marks a significant achievement in the post-disaster recovery initiatives undertaken by the BRO in response to the catastrophic cloudbursts that occurred from May to June 2025, the Cyclone Remal in June 2024, and the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in October 2023,” stated a release from the Defence Ministry.

Seth praised the BRO for their relentless efforts in the region, emphasizing that these infrastructures are crucial for the developmental needs of North Sikkim and the welfare of its inhabitants.

To restore essential Lines of Communication, the BRO successfully cleared 96 landslides, constructed four major bridges, and repaired an additional two under Project Swastik, the statement detailed.

The engineering team of the BRO executed eight kilometers of new formation cutting and devised various diversions to traverse unstable slopes and sinking areas, it added.

These initiatives followed the opening of the 7.5 km Naga-Toong stretch in October 2025, further enhancing connectivity in the area, according to the Ministry.

The completion of the 28 km Chungthang-Lachen road and the Taram Chu Bridge is set to fulfill the requirements of local residents, security agencies, and stimulate regional economic growth, it noted.

The inauguration of these essential connectivity assets is in line with the ‘Atmanirbhar Sikkim-Viksit Bharat Vision’ as envisioned by the Chief Minister of Sikkim.

The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Samdup Leptcha, Minister for Social Welfare, Government of Sikkim, Lieutenant General Man Raj Singh Mann, General Officer Commanding, Trishakti Corps, and Jitendra Prasad, Additional Director General (East), Border Road Organisation, as mentioned in the statement.

Representatives from the State Administration, the Indian Army, and local residents were also present to commemorate the restoration of the axis, it concluded.

In a message shared on X, Seth remarked, “The Suspension Bridge established in Sikkim represents not just a structure; it embodies the trust that our Honorable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, has bestowed upon our first village situated on the borders.”

“This trust is being realized under the guidance of the Honorable Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh Ji. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the BRO family for their efforts in restoring the vital Lachen Axis connecting North Sikkim,” Seth expressed in his post.