Northeast Desk, 2nd May: North Sikkim faced a severe traffic gridlock as the Toong Bridge collapse disrupted vehicular movement, causing delays in travel to the region. The collapse, triggered by flooding in the Teesta River, prompted authorities to impose new restrictions under Section 34(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
With the damaged bridge halting traffic between Mangan and Chungthang via Toong-Naga, commuters were forced to divert through the narrow Sangkalang-Saffo-Shipgyer route. However, the narrowness of the alternative route exacerbated congestion concerns, raising fears of potential accidents.
To address safety concerns, Hem Kumar Chettri, SCS, District Collector-cum-Magistrate of Mangan District, issued orders aimed at ensuring the safety of commuters and locals navigating the narrow route. Construction efforts are underway to repair the collapsed bridge and restore normalcy to vehicular movement in the area.
Read More: Assam: Two Bangladeshi Nationals Apprehended in Hailakandi