SIKKIM GETS A SIGH OF RELIEF AFTER A FORTNIGHT
RANGPO, September 11: With the opening of the National Highway 31-A after almost a fortnight at about 7:30 pm today, a convoy of eight trucks carrying Liquefied Petroleum Gas made its first entry from the Tarkhola towards Sikkim.
Tankers loaded with petrol, diesel and kerosene oil will be the next convoy to enter Sikkim, after which only vehicles loaded with only 8-10 tonnes capacity will be permitted to ply along the route.
The Border Roads Organisation had been engaged in restoring the damaged stretch at Tarkhola. Now the priority would be the repair of about 700 meters stretch of road with the help of the Hindustan Construction Company which was last used in 1980, necessary formalities for which cleared by the BRO.
Earlier in the day, the road attached to the Tarkhola Bridge along with a truck was washed away by the river during testing.
According to the Incharge, Kalimpong Police Station, more then 500 trucks loaded with foodgrains, hardware items, tankers of petrol, diesel, kerosene oil and gas etc, were waiting in queue to enter Sikkim.
Small vehicles have been suggested to ply via Monsong, Kalimpong for few days due to the present jam along the Highway.
The work to construct a new bridge at Tarkhola will start within four days.
Meanwhile, due to the landslides at Singtam, the roads remained closed until 6 pm until the BRO removed the debris and cleared the road.
During the closure, smaller vehicles commuted via Rangpo-Duga-Central Pandam-West Pendam-Singtam route. These alternate routes are also in a pathetic shape and only small vehicle can pass through.
Tankers loaded with petrol, diesel and kerosene oil will be the next convoy to enter Sikkim, after which only vehicles loaded with only 8-10 tonnes capacity will be permitted to ply along the route.
The Border Roads Organisation had been engaged in restoring the damaged stretch at Tarkhola. Now the priority would be the repair of about 700 meters stretch of road with the help of the Hindustan Construction Company which was last used in 1980, necessary formalities for which cleared by the BRO.
Earlier in the day, the road attached to the Tarkhola Bridge along with a truck was washed away by the river during testing.
According to the Incharge, Kalimpong Police Station, more then 500 trucks loaded with foodgrains, hardware items, tankers of petrol, diesel, kerosene oil and gas etc, were waiting in queue to enter Sikkim.
Small vehicles have been suggested to ply via Monsong, Kalimpong for few days due to the present jam along the Highway.
The work to construct a new bridge at Tarkhola will start within four days.
Meanwhile, due to the landslides at Singtam, the roads remained closed until 6 pm until the BRO removed the debris and cleared the road.
During the closure, smaller vehicles commuted via Rangpo-Duga-Central Pandam-West Pendam-Singtam route. These alternate routes are also in a pathetic shape and only small vehicle can pass through.
