Protest on bad roads in Sikkim

Gangtok, May 12: Stakeholders of the tourism industry and local people took out a rally here yesterday to protest the alleged delay in repairing the North Sikkim Highway and JN Marg, the main roads in the district. More than 100 protesters marched from Tashi View Point to the office of Project Swastik chief engineer S.S. Porwal. “I have written to the head office (of Swastik) in New Delhi. Nothing can be done unless funds are released. I am leaving for Delhi tomorrow and will place the matter before the higher authorities,” he said. The Border Roads Organisation maintains the two roads and Project Swastik under the BRO is the agency that looks after the repairs. Sources said widening of the highway from Gangtok to Mangan (56km) is incomplete even after eight years and most tourists avoid the stretch. They use the Pangthang-Tumin route to reach Mangan and return. For this, eateries and shops along the Gangtok-Mangan route are facing losses. JN Marg that leads to Nathu-la, Baba Mandir and Chhangu is often shut because of landslides. Officials said unavailability of labour is another hurdle.