Tourist vehicles stranded in Lachen; road clearance possible today

GANGTOK,: Under the direction of the SP Mangan, a team led by DSP ChandanChhetri, SDPO Chungthang, conducted an inspection of the road which was blocked by snow at Dongkyala Top along the Lachen axis on Saturday.

The inspection was carried out at around 12:15 pm at an altitude of approximately 18,200 feet. The team included personnel from Lachencheck post and police station who are ASI Purna Prasad Rai, ASI C.B. Bhujel, Head Constable SancharajBarailey, Lance NaikBikashGurung, and SA Rinzing Lepcha.

The road has remained blocked since April 5 due to heavy snowfall.

Officials informed that joint efforts by the police, local residents of Lachen, district administration, Army, GREF, and other stakeholders had earlier facilitated the evacuation of stranded tourists via a footbridge at Taram Chu on April 9. However, all tourist vehicles remain stranded at Lachen.

During the inspection, the authorities observed multiple patches of black ice and snow accumulation along the Dongkyala stretch, making uphill movement particularly difficult for two wheel drive vehicles. The weather conditions in the area were reported to be deteriorating further. Meanwhile, personnel from the Army and GREF are actively engaged in clearing the remaining snow and ice.

Officials indicated that the road is likely to be cleared by Sunday morning, following which necessary arrangements will be made to evacuate the stranded vehicles, it was informed.