Gangtok: Amid heavy snowfall leading to road blockages, East Sikkim authorities have imposed new travel restrictions to ensure tourist safety.
Permits for the JN Road will now only be issued up to Changu Lake, while access on the RN Road will be restricted to Zuluk. Officials continue work to clear the affected routes as part of ongoing safety measures.
In a separate development, a major rescue operation successfully evacuated all tourists stranded in Lachung after landslides cut off the region for two days following the April 25 incidents.
The coordinated effort, led by the Mangan district administration alongside local organizations, involved key personnel including the District Collector, SDM and SDPO of Chungthang. The Pipons of Lachung Dzumsa and the Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) also played vital roles in assisting the stranded travelers.
Support from the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) and construction companies A.K. Builders and SUL was critical in clearing debris and reopening blocked routes. The Driver Association of Chungthang helped transport the evacuated tourists safely.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), under Project Swastik, reopened the road to Lachung for one-way traffic, enabling light vehicles to pass through.
Once safely relocated to Mangan, the evacuated tourists expressed deep gratitude to the authorities, security personnel, and local communities for their prompt and dedicated efforts.
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