GANGTOK, 12 May: Tired of unconvincing assurances and disappointed by the consistently deplorable condition of the North Sikkim Highway and JN Road, both under the charge of Project Swastik of Border Roads Organisation, the people and panchayat members of Kabi-Tingda [for NSH] and JN Road marched out on the road yesterday in a public demonstration registering their annoyance and disappointment. The rally, which was also joined by Travel Agents Association of Sikkim [TAAS] members, walked from Tashi View Point to GREF head-office here at Swastik.
Upon reaching the GREF head-office, the people expressed their grievances and highlighted their litany of problems and complaints related to roads and submitted a memorandum signed by panchayats and people to the GREF Chief Engineer, SS Porwal.
Although, the rally was peaceful, indignation and anger was clear on the faces of the people.
In his response to the people’s submission, the Chief Engineer shared that he realized who serious the situation of the roads was and informed that he has been writing to the head-office repeatedly on this matter. He informed that even he has drawn in issues of national security and special status of Sikkim in his correspondence with the head-office and assured to place the memorandum submitted by the people along with other related documents to the head office in New Delhi.
He mentioned that he is scheduled to leave for Delhi on 12 May to present these issues along with their memorandum and to expedite pending issues.
He informed the people that Project Swastik had not received separate funds for earthquake relief so part of the regular funds were diverted to open roads blocked road by the earthquake and repair other damages. He added that several sanctioned projects were also stuck and suggested that the State Government influence in Delhi be leveraged to pressurize the concerned agencies expedite Sikkim-specific projects
Speaking to media persons, Kyongsla GPU panchayat president, IK Rasaily alleged negligence of JN Road and North Sikkim Highway, pointing out that these two roads have seen no improvement for the past several years. The road widening works had made the situation worse with even more landslides and even more inconvenience for the people.
While the smaller slides have been cleared along the Mangan-Chungthang highway, the monster disruptions at Lanthey [pix alongside] and Chiyandara remain unspanned. When the weather is clear, some risk the walk across to avail transhipment options which are now available. This remains a risky undertaking as the photograph amply illustrates, but there are hardy porters at hand who even risk making the journey weighed down with headloads for a small premium. As Ongdi Sherpa, one of the porters negotiating the Chiyandara and Lanthey slides with headloads of ration and vegetable provisions, says: “We are charging Rs. 200 for one sack of load and charging Rs. 150 per carton of beer for the carriage from Chyandara to Lanthey which is half kilometre but it is very risky for us to tranship the goods in such a dicey slide where anything could happen at any moment”. Meanwhile, BAC Mangan has arranged for light refreshments for commuters and other workers here at Chyandara, a provision being managed under the supervision of Dorjee Tshering Lepcha and Choden Lepcha.
