The bridge that Trishakti troops built in five days to reconnect Chungthang

 The Indian Army, with assistance from the BRO, completed the Bailey bridge over the Teesta River at Chungthang, reconnecting flood-affected areas of north Sikkim with the mainland.

India Today, New Delhi/Kolkata, Nov 16, 2023: The Indian Army, in collaboration with the Border Roads Organization (BRO), has successfully completed the construction of the Bailey bridge over the Teesta River at Chungthang.

This marks a significant milestone as the Bailey bridge reconnects the flood-affected areas of north Sikkim with the mainland, re-establishing vital transportation links that were severed for over a month. The completion of this bridge will facilitate the smooth movement of vehicles and the timely delivery of relief materials to the affected regions.

The Bailey bridge, spanning 200 feet, stands as an engineering marvel, being the longest and heaviest single-span Bailey bridge that can be launched. The collaborative effort involved the initial construction of concrete abutments by the BRO, followed by the bridge construction by the Trishakti Sappers, a process completed in approximately five days.

The inauguration of the bridge took place in the presence of Sikkim’s Minister of Roads and Bridges Samdup Lepcha, along with officials from the Indian Army, BRO, and civil administration.

The bridging operation was executed with the efforts of Engineer Troops from the Trishakti Corps and the BRO, utilizing heavy Earth Moving plants for efficient construction.

On the intervening night of October 3-4, a massive cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim triggered a flash flood in the Teesta River, submerging villages, sweeping away homes and bridges, and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

As many as 179 people died, including several Indian Army personnel; many of the deceased persons' bodies could not be retrieved. Over 60,000 people were affected, with many losing their homes, livelihoods, and belongings. The floods caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power lines, disrupting communication and transportation networks.

DEEPAK SHARMA,  SUJAL PRADHAN, EOI,  CHUNGTHANG/ GANGTOK, NOVEMBER, 16, 2023 : With the inauguration of the Bailey bridge over river Teesta, reconnecting to Chungthang, communication has finally been restored the flood affected areas of north Sikkim cut off from the rest of the state since the night of October 3.

The bridge will pave the way for movement of vehicies and provision of relief materials to the flood-affected areas. The inauguration of the bridge on Thursday was a momentous occasion with MLA Samdup Lepcha presiding over the event. President of Chungthang panchayat, other panchayat members as well as members of Mangan Zilla Parishad were present during the event. 

The combined efforts of the troops of the Trishakti Corps of the army, the Border Roads Organization, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the General Reserve Engineering Force and the common people of Chungthang have made the reconstruction of the vital bridge a reality.

The 200 feet long Bailey bridge was an engineering marvel in itself, army engineers said, as it was the longest and the heaviest single span Bailey bridge that could be launched. 

About 150 jawans were deployed for the construction of the bridge. Working round the clock, the BRO initially constructed the concrete abutments. The foundation abutments were built by 86 and 107 Road Construction Company of GREF. 

Following this, the Trishakti Sappers took around five days to construct the bridge. Engineers of the Trishakti Corps and of the BRO were also engaged in the bridging operation, along with several heavy earth moving plants. 

The operation was led by Brigadier Vardhan Kumar, Chief Engineer, and Colonel Ashwin Khare, Commanding Officer, 113 Engineers People of Chungthang have appreciated the bravery, hard wok and determination of the army in restoring communication with Chungthang, an area vital for the defence of the China border in north Sikkim. \

The army and the air force had also played a vital role in the rescue and rehabilitation operations immediately after the flash flood. The air force had evacuated thousands of stranded tourists and patients from north Sikkim. 

Assistance to the civilians of Sikkim in terms of communications, search and rescue operations, meals, medical assistance, transportation, and manpower has been provided by the army without any hesitation