GREF proposes cantilever road alignment, cut-and-cover tunnel for landslide-prone stretches in Chungthang-Lachung axis

<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">GANGTOK,:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif"> Lachen-Mangan MLA and minister Samdup Lepcha on Friday reviewed the status of road connectivity works in the constituency, with special focus on the Chungthang-Lachen road axis.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The meeting held at Tashiling Secretariat here was attended by Brig. Amit Sakhre, chief engineer of Project Swastik, BRO, and Colonel B Karan Singh, commander of 758 BRTF, GREF, informs a press release.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">During the meeting, Lepcha highlighted the hardships faced by the people of Lachen Dzumsa due to repeated disruptions in road connectivity, stating that tourism, the primary source of livelihood in the region, had been severely affected.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">He said mounting financial liabilities and loans had put residents under “immense pressure and growing distress”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The minister said he had been holding regular meetings with the Mangan district administration and Chungthang sub-divisional officials to ensure early completion of restoration works for uninterrupted public movement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Lepcha added that despite enduring hardships for more than two-and-a-half years following the GLOF disaster, the people of Lachen had remained patient and cooperative.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">As a long-term solution, he strongly advocated for construction of a tunnel at Tarum Chu along the Chungthang-Lachen road, saying it would ensure uninterrupted connectivity and also serve strategic national security interests.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">He said the Chief Minister had directed the Chief Secretary to pursue the matter and that a land feasibility report prepared by the Roads and Bridges department had already been submitted for further action.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The minister also appreciated alternative proposals submitted by GREF officials, including cantilever road alignment and cut-and-cover tunnel solutions for landslide-prone stretches.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">GREF officials assured that restoration and completion of the road connectivity work would be achieved by July 15, 2026, after which the road would be opened to the public, according to the statement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">They informed that widening work involving retaining walls and plum wall protection over a 110-metre stretch was underway, with work on 30 metres already commenced and the remaining 80 metres expected to be completed by July 15.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Lepcha lauded the resilience and cooperation shown by the people of Lachen and appealed to them to continue extending support and patience until July 16.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The meeting concluded with GREF officials assuring that all pending compensation under the Bharatmala package for land acquisition would be released by October 2026, the release adds.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">&nbsp;</span></p><p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></p>

from www.sikkimexpress.com https://ift.tt/76HvaKp
via IFTTT

Post a Comment

0 Comments