Hit-and-run fatality and damage to drains drives Samdong-Kambal residents to barricade road against trucks

Stones lined up by residents at the entry point of Samdong-Raley approach road to barricade against trucks

MANGAN, 02 Jan: The traffic of heavy vehicles diverted to their neighbourhood ever since the Rangchang Bridge collapsed on 19 December and closed the Singtam-Dikchu axis, the patience of the residents of Samdong-Kambal finally snapped on 31 December when they stepped out and denied access to heavy vehicles along the Ipsing Road [from Samdong Zero to Raley]. This 7 km approach road links up to the Khamdong-Tumin road which provides the only alternative to the stretch closed off for heavy vehicles on the Singtam-Dikchu road.
The decision of the people to barricade their road against heavy vehicles comes in the wake of a hit-and-run fatality in the area recently and extensive damage to cross-drains along the route due to the heavy load imposed on it.
Safety issues were flagged when, on 25 December, 42-year-old Nar Bahadur Chettri of Khesey basti near Samdong was killed, by a speeding truck, it is suspected. While the accident might have occurred sometime late in the evening, his dead body was discovered on the road only the next day. Prima facie evidence suggests a hit-and-run by a heavy vehicle. The case remains under investigation.
While speaking to NOW!, Karnakar Pokhrel, president of Laxmi Prabha Sangh of Middle Kambal, informs that people don’t feel safe walking on the road ever since trucks [which are invariably speeding] were diverted to the area last month and added that many cross-drains in the road have been damaged due to this heavy traffic.
He also informs that the road which was nearing completion and preparing for the final carpeting work has now been extensively damaged.
This road falls under State Public Works Department and is reinforced for light vehicular traffic.
With this road closed, trucks using this route were plying the Rakdong-Jang/ Dikchu road, and in the brief three days that they used it, have left even this road compromised. No trucks could move up from Dikchu on this road today after overnight rain left the road too slushy for heavy vehicles to get enough traction. This condition, residents point out, was brought on by the heavy load forced on it over the past few days. Trucks returning after a failed attempt moved back to Phodong and on to Gangtok today.
According to the site supervisor of PWD here, the Radkong-Jang/Dikchu road is also damaged at several places and increased traffic was not advisable for this stretch.
When NOW! contacted the concerned engineer at PWD, he informed that the Rakdong-Jang road is only meant for light vehicles. Although up-gradation work is underway, it is still not ready to take heavy loads, he stresses.
He further informs that there the Department has received no request seeking permission to allow heavy vehicles to ply on this road and adds that the Dikchu Police Out Post has been accordingly informed. A meeting is scheduled at the Department to decide on the issue and finalise whether heavy vehicles be allowed on it or not.