Gangtok: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has visited the demonstration bridge in Dzongu to assess its load capacity, while also criticizing the opposition for spreading misinformation about the bridge.
The controversy surrounding the bridge began after a video surfaced showing the CM walking across the bridge, with the opposition accusing him of using the structure inappropriately.
However, CM Tamang clarified that the bridge, built by the Lepcha community, was never intended for vehicular use. It was constructed solely as a temporary pedestrian bridge to provide emergency access following the devastating floods of 2023.
The demonstration bridge, made of bamboo, was designed for pedestrians only, not for vehicles. The government’s long-term plan is to replace this bridge with a model bridge, built to meet the needs of the region’s growing infrastructure requirements.
CM Tamang emphasized that the opposition is distorting the facts, trying to create a controversy out of nothing. The criticism from the opposition, particularly the Citizen Action Party (CAP), has been met with a firm rebuttal from the Chief Minister.
CAP had previously raised concerns about the government’s efforts in Dzongu, claiming that the region had been neglected and that promises of development had not been fulfilled.
Despite the challenging topography and the setbacks caused by natural disasters, the Sikkim government has made significant strides in rebuilding Dzongu.
The government has focused on improving the overall infrastructure of Dzongu, including the reconstruction of bridges and the construction of a steel suspension bridge at Sangkalang, which is expected to be completed by April 2025.
Beyond infrastructure, the government has also prioritized healthcare, education, and social welfare in Dzongu. The government has provided essential services, including the establishment of an ambulance service at Hee Gyathang PHC, and has built over 300 homes for families displaced by the floods.
The construction of a model school at Hee Gyathang is also underway, providing children in the region with access to quality education.
CM Tamang highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring that students from Dzongu, particularly those from the Lepcha community, have access to quality education.
Special quotas at Tashi Namgyal Academy and the Chief Minister’s Educational Assistance Program for higher studies have been introduced to support students from the region. Furthermore, a Lepcha Museum at Lingthem Gumpa has been built to preserve and promote the region’s cultural heritage.
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