Friday, Jan 17, 2025 10:30 [IST]

Last Update: Friday, Jan 17, 2025 04:56 [IST]

Dzongu on the road to recovery

Dzongu on the road to recovery

 It has come to the notice that certain individuals affiliated with political parties have made unfounded allegations regarding the developmental activities taking place in Dzongu. As the concerned citizen, I find it imperative to provide accurate and comprehensive information to those who may not be aware of the substantial efforts being made by the government to develop the region and support the people of Dzongu.

Recently, Dzongu celebrated the Namprikdang Namsoong festival at Namprikdang Ground, a site of immense cultural and spiritual significance. This festival, celebrated since 1976 at the confluence of the Teesta and Kanaka rivers, is an essential cultural event for the Lepcha community in Dzongu. Namprikdang Ground is a sacred site where the people of Dzongu have been worshiping their guardian deities for centuries, and it holds a special place in the hearts of the local population. The land is considered blessed with unique treasures that set Dzongu apart from other regions in Sikkim.

However, Dzongu's topography, with its steep cliffs, deep gorges, and challenging landforms, has made infrastructure development particularly difficult. Despite these constraints, the current government has shown unwavering commitment to the region's progress. The recent Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) on October 3, 2023, devastated many areas, including Dzongu. The disaster destroyed essential infrastructure, including the suspension bridges at Sangkalang and Phidang, cutting off connectivity to Dzongu for several months. In response, the local Lepcha community, with their traditional knowledge and skills, built indigenous cane bridges over the Teesta River to temporarily restore connectivity.

The Honorable Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Golay, acted swiftly in the aftermath of the GLOF disaster. He visited the affected areas, provided immediate relief materials, and ensured that the restoration of connectivity became a priority. The government funded the reconstruction of the suspension bridges at both Sangkalang and Phidang. However, when a subsequent cloudburst in June 2024 collapsed the newly constructed bridge, the government again stepped in, funding the restoration of an indigenous cane bridge to re-establish critical connections for Dzongu and surrounding areas.

In addition to these emergency response efforts, numerous development initiatives are currently underway, and many more are in the planning or approval stages. These projects aim to improve infrastructure, education, healthcare, social welfare, and connectivity in Dzongu. Some of the key developmental activities undertaken by the present government includes the steel suspension bridge at Phidang which is already operational, work on the steel suspension bridge at Sangkalang is under construction and is expected to be completed by April 2025. The infrastructure development, roads and bridges construction and up-gradation under the present government includes, one-kilometer road construction in Lum, construction of a steel bridge and approach road to Lum village, playground construction at Sangtok, Lower Dzongu, road carpeting of Gor School and steel bridge construction in Lum Gor Sangtok GPU, road widening and carpeting of Gumpa roads in Hee Gyathang, construction of Gram Panchayat Kendra at Lingdong, road carpeting from Shipger to Passingdang, road carpeting from Passingdang to Laven, construction of a new road from Laven to Sakyoung (the last village in Dzongu), road carpeting from Passingdang to Lingthem, construction of Lepcha Museum at Lingthem Gumpa, construction of a Bailey footbridge at Mantam and a Bailey motorable bridge at Mantam, up-gradation of the road from 6th Mile Tingvong to Pentong, upgradation of the Sangkalang Bay Sakyong road from CWC Passingdang to Kayem bridge point, road widening of Pentong from Bay village, construction of a new suspension bridge connecting Pentong and Sakyong, renovation and up-gradation of Tholung Gumpa, footpath construction from Bay village to Tholung, restoration and revival of Namprikdang Ground, along with water supply and sanitation facilities to support the celebration of the Namsoong festival. Apart from this, approximately 100 suspension bridges are currently with the department for approval and sanction. Once approved, these bridges will provide connectivity to all villages across Dzongu. In the case of Social Welfare and Healthcare the assistance include a major heart surgery for Sangey Ongmu Lepcha, a 14-year-old child from Dzongu, successful medical treatment for Mr. Thendup Lepcha from Upper Dzongu, provision of an ambulance vehicle at Hee Gyathang PHC and Passingdang to improve healthcare accessibility.

For the welfare of people, around 340 beneficiaries from Dzongu have received government-supported homes under the SGAY scheme, around 292 families have received inverters, GCI sheets, and other materials for home improvements. Numerous individuals from Dzongu who previously had no government employment have now government jobs. Many local entrepreneurs have received financial assistance for their livelihood.

In the field of Education a model school is under construction at Hee Gyathang. Every year, students from the Lepcha community especially from Dzongu are provided with a special quota for admission to Tashi Namgyal Academy. Chief Minister's Educational Assistance is being provided to students for higher studies, ensuring they have access to quality education opportunities.

Likewise, a Lepcha Museum has been constructed at Lingthem Gumpa to preserve and promote Lepcha culture and heritage, restoration and improvement of Namprikdang Ground to ensure that the cultural significance of the site is maintained for future generations. The government has committed to sustainable development in Dzongu, ensuring that the region grows while preserving its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Efforts are being made to provide affordable housing, employment opportunities, and social security to the people of Dzongu, empowering them to lead better lives.

These are just a few examples of the many development projects and welfare initiatives currently underway or in the pipeline for Dzongu. Under the dynamic leadership of Honorable Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang Golay, Dzongu is rapidly progressing toward a future of sustainable growth and prosperity.

The baseless accusations being spread by certain individuals affiliated with political parties are not only unfounded but also harmful to the progress that is being made in Dzongu. The government remains fully committed to the development of the region and will continue to support its people through every challenge.

We urge everyone to stay informed and not be misled by false information or political statements aimed at gaining personal or political mileage. The people of Dzongu have seen a positive transformation under the present government, and we remain confident that this progress will continue in the years to come.

 

Your’s etc,

Mahindra Pradhan

Concerned citizen of Dzongu

Sikkim at a Glance

  • Area: 7096 Sq Kms
  • Capital: Gangtok
  • Altitude: 5,840 ft
  • Population: 6.10 Lakhs
  • Topography: Hilly terrain elevation from 600 to over 28,509 ft above sea level
  • Climate:
  • Summer: Min- 13°C - Max 21°C
  • Winter: Min- 0.48°C - Max 13°C
  • Rainfall: 325 cms per annum
  • Language Spoken: Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, Tibetan, English, Hindi