Fatal accident renews demand for safety barriers at Tikjek cliff

KUSH HANG LEEWANG

GEYZING,: A half-kilometre stretch of road along the Tikjek cliff, near Geyzing, which connects Geyzing with Lingchom and other surrounding areas, has become a major cause of concern for both commuters and drivers who frequent the route as the cliffside road currently lacks crash barrier.

Tikjek cliff, which stands at a height of more than 300 feet, has long been prone to accidents, with several individuals having lost their lives over the years in different incidents. Most recently, three individuals lost their lives after the truck they were travelling in veered off the road and plunged down the cliff when the driver lost control. Many opined that such a tragic incident could have been averted had a crash barrier been installed along the stretch.

Drivers and commuters have to cross the stretch, putting their lives at risk, as the road runs along a steep and narrow slope. The situation becomes even more dangerous during the rainy season, when the surface turns slippery. In addition, the area is prone to falling or shooting boulders, which have resulted in loss of lives in the past. Although the stretch of road along Tikjek cliff has recently been paved, the narrow and steep route still lacks crash barrier, raising serious safety concerns among regular commuters. 

The locals of Tikjek and Lingchom maintained that a crash barrier had earlier been installed along the stretch, but it was later lost after sustaining damage from natural forces and other causes. For the past several years, the dangerous Tikjek cliff stretch has lacked a proper crash barrier as a safety measure, drawing public criticism. Some individuals opined that despite knowing that the road runs along a narrow and steep slope, the absence of a crash barrier reflects the sheer negligence of the concerned department. They termed the non - existence of a crash barrier along the Tikjek cliff stretch a blatant compromise with the safety of the general public. 

"Along with drivers and commuters, students studying in nearby educational institutions also frequent the route on a daily basis. The absence of a crash barrier along the stretch seriously compromises their safety as well", said an individual from Tikjek.

The locals informed that a demand had been submitted to minister and area MLA Bhim Hang Subba and the Roads and Bridges department in 2022 itself for the construction of a concrete protective crash barrier along the stretch. However, no initiative has been taken so far.

“We had submitted our demand for the installation of protective crash barrier along the Tikjek cliff to the minister after necessary assessment. However, the demand has not materialised yet. The crash barriers are most necessary for the safety of drivers and commuters,” said a local resident.

Roads and Bridges department assistant engineer Santosh Singh, when was asked for his opinion on the matter, expressed his ignorance on any demand for the installation of crash barriers along the Tikjek cliff stretch. Singh further informed that the works related to the Tikjek-Lingchom stretch are currently being handled under Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) through Rural Development department (RDD).

Responding to the queries, RDD assistant engineer Om Prakash Gurung informed that although the road is currently being handled by the RDD, there is no provision for the installation of crash barriers under the project apart from the carpeting work. He further added that, as per the norms, the RDD would hand over the road back to the Roads and Bridges department after the completion of the prescribed term, indicating that RDD has been assigned the work only for a temporary period. 

"The work related to Tikjek-Lingchom road stretch is being carried out under the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) through the Rural Development department for the past three years. However, the project does not include any provision for the installation of crash barriers along the Tikjek cliff stretch. After the completion of the term finalized under the project, the RDD will hand over the road-related works back to the Roads and Bridges department," said Om Prakash Gurung.

Sunakhari Samaj, a non-governmental organization based at Tikjek, installed bamboo fencing along the Tikjek cliff stretch on Sunday. Members of the organization managed to set up the protective fence along the steep and rocky stretch despite facing numerous difficulties. However, the temporary bamboo barriers, with limited capacity to withstand natural forces, may not be sufficient to prevent possible untoward incidents in the near future.

The president of Lingchom-Tikjek Gram Panchayat Unit, Rajen Gurung, asserted that the demand for the installation of crash barriers along the Tikjek cliff stretch would once again be submitted to the area MLA and the concerned department to ensure that the safety of the general public is addressed in a proper way.

Meanwhile, the locals of Tikjek and Lingchom have appealed to the State government and the Roads and Bridges department to take effective initiatives to resolve the long-pending issue of installing crash barriers along the Tikjek cliff stretch.