Indra Hang Subba meets Defence MoS, demands immediate restoration of roads in North Sikkim

GANGTOK, :  Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba on Wednesday met Sanjay Seth, Minister of State (MoS) for Defence, at the latter’s office in South Block, New Delhi and requested his urgent intervention for immediate repair and reconstruction of roads in North Sikkim, particularly those connecting the Indo-China border.

The Lok Sabha MP submitted a memorandum to the MoS bringing to his urgent attention regarding the critical situation of the roads in North Sikkim, particularly along the NH 310A and roads connecting the Indo-China border maintained by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), informs a press release.

Indra Hang, during the meeting, briefed the MoS that the Teesta flood of October 2023 has severely damaged this crucial infrastructure, rendering it impassable and significantly impacting both the local population and national security.

“I respectfully request your immediate intervention to prioritize the repair and reconstruction of these vital roads. The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated, as it affects not only the daily lives of the residents but also the overall security of our nation,” stressed the lone Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim during his meeting with the MoS (Defence).

In his representation, Indra Hang stressed on three important areas of concern due to the fractured road network in North Sikkim which shares a difficult mountainous border with China.

“The devastation caused by the floods has left the roads in a state of disrepair, severely affecting communication and transportation. This disruption has led to acute shortage of essential commodities such as ration and materials. The lack of proper road connectivity has forced local people as well as the armed forces to rely on labourers to transport goods over long distances, causing prices to skyrocket and leading to widespread distress and tension among residents”

“With the devastating damages done by the flash flood, the areas in and around are dangerously risky for the residing civilians. Prompt and urgent rehabilitation and relocation of the affected civilians has been carried out by the State Government to mitigate this difficulty,” the Lok Sabha MP submitted.

Indra Hang also drew the attention of the MoS to the situation in Naga village, falling between Mangan and Chungthang, which was one of the worst-affected areas of last year’s Teesta flood.

“The flood has caused extensive damage, including significant cracks and holes in the road, resulting in the forced relocation and rehabilitation of the entire village last year. Despite these efforts, the road conditions remain unchanged, exacerbating the difficulties faced by the displaced community.”

The Lok Sabha MP further apprised the MoS about the crucial strategic importance of the roads in North Sikkim for national defence.

“Beyond Mangan, the North Sikkim region borders China and plays a critical role in national defence. The current state of roads pose a serious security risk, as damaged infrastructure impedes the timely movement of our armed forces and security personnel. In light of the principles of national self-defence and collective defence, maintaining robust and operational roadways is crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of our defence mechanism,” said Indra Hang in his representation.

Seeking an immediate intervention, Indra Hang submitted that he looks forward to swift action and support from the MoS in addressing these critical concerns.

The MoS assured all possible help in mitigating the hardships faced by the people. He further acknowledged the positive role of Sikkimese people in enhancing national security by maintaining peace and tranquillity in the State, especially in border areas, the release adds.