The road connectivity to different areas of Mangan district in north Sikkim was restored as two Bailey bridges which were built by the Indian army and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) were inaugurated on Friday.

After the devastating flash flood in the Teesta on October 4, connectivity via roads to a number of locations in the district like Dzongu, Chungthang, Lachen and Lachung had snapped.

The swollen river had washed away the principal highway that connects Chunthang and other places with Mangan, the district headquarters. Thirty-three bridges, including 26 in the district, were washed away.

Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, the MLA of Dzongu, inaugurated the Bailey bridges — each 140ft long — at Sangklang.

After the disaster, the Indian army and local people had built bamboo bridges on which one could only walk. The relief and rescue operations were carried out via choppers of the Indian Air Force.

“From today, that is, after 23 days of the flash flood, vehicles can move to Dzongu and Chungthang and Lachung. Another major challenge is to restore the Chungthang-Lachen route. The Operation Mangan Setu taken up by the defence forces has turned out to be a success,” said a source.

The bridges have been built by the 14th engineer regiment of the Trishakti Corps of the army in coordination with the BRO.

“The bridges were constructed within a record time frame of five days to facilitate immediate movement of men and materials. The first bridge was set up by October 23 while the second bridge was ready today. The alternative route from Mangan to Chungthang via Sangklang has been set up for prompt relief. The BRO is working on the plan to reconnect the main route to Chungthang via Toong and Naga,” a source added.

Sikki chief secretary V.B. Pathak held a meeting with heads of different departments in Gangtok. He instructed officials to install state-of-the-art sewer plants in Singtam, Rangpo and Melli.