CM confident that people’s resilience will see Sikkim through

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling with Rahul Gandhi at Lumsey below Gangtok where a recently-completed building toppled over on Sunday night. Rahul Gandhi toured earthquake affected areas in Gangtok and undertook an aerial recce of North Sikkim on Wednesday.

‘EARTHQUAKE SETBACK COULD GO UP TO Rs. ONE LAKH CRORE’

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 21 Sept: Highlighting that the devastation wrecked by the Sunday evening earthquake was of an unprecedented scale, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, while assuring that no effort will be spared to reach relief to the affected people, expressed confidence in the resilience of the Sikkimese people as the character trait which will see Sikkim through this trying time.
Addressing a press briefing here this afternoon, the CM stressed that the people of Sikkim were strong and resourceful and that the State capable and committed to overcome the situation.

The process of rebuilding, he admitted, would not be easy, and will require the collective commitment of the people and full support of the Central Government and the people of India. The CM has appealed to the GoI and people across the country to come forward and support Sikkim overcome this difficult time.
On the devastation suffered by Sikkim to the less than a minute long 6.8 strong earthquake, the CM informed that the scale of destruction was so high that the final assessment could post the amount in the vicinity of Rs. One lakh crore.
He further mentioned that a thorough assessment is underway and that only once this process is completed will the scale of actual damage suffered by Sikkim be available.
This detailed assessment is expected to be completed over the next 10 days and after this report has been finalised, it will be submitted to the Centre with a request for a Special Package and other assistance for the people of Sikkim.
The relief measures, he informed, were moving ahead on a war-footing and were being well coordinated. Relief and rescue teams, he said, were pushing towards the cut-off areas despite still attendant risks, and solace was reaching more and more people.
The CM, it may be mentioned here, is scheduled to travel to North Sikkim, the worst affected region of the State, on Thursday.
The road network will take months to get restored to normal and work was afoot to restore at least the water and power supply lines. He informed that the number of houses and buildings which have collapsed due to the earthquake is estimated to be over 2,000, with another 1 lakh houses reporting from major to minor damage.
He informed that 9 villages in North Sikkim are still completely cut-off and teams are still struggling to access them with relief and medical aid. Efforts however continue undeterred, he reassured.
The CM also expressed gratitude on behalf of the people to the central government, army, other states and different organizations which have rendered spontaneous assistance and support to Sikkim.
Responding to queries of media-persons, the CM clarified that there are no reports of any hydel project tunnel collapse in North Sikkim.
On Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Sikkim, the CM expressed his happiness and gratitude on his visit to the State and for his assurance to help victims and the Government of Sikkim.