Tourist movement to parts of North Sikkim has returned to near-normal levels following the reopening of the Toong–Naga Road, restoring a key road link that had remained disrupted for months after the devastating glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) of October 2023. The reopening has brought visible relief to local residents and businesses that depend heavily on tourism for their livelihood.
Chairman of the Sikkim Welfare Commission, Nim Tshering Lepcha, said tourist traffic towards Lachung is now moving smoothly. According to him, around 400 tourist vehicles are travelling to the area daily. He said the road conditions have improved significantly, allowing safe and uninterrupted movement after months of uncertainty. The steady flow of visitors has eased concerns among hotel owners, taxi drivers, shopkeepers and local workers whose income had been badly affected since the disaster.
Attention has now shifted to Lachen, which remains closed to tourists. Officials said the Border Roads Organisation is currently constructing a bridge over the Taram Chu River along the route to Lachen. The bridge is expected to be completed by the first week of February. Once the work is finished, tourist movement to Lachen is likely to resume, further strengthening the tourism economy of the region.
Alongside the return of tourists, rehabilitation of families affected by the GLOF has reached a crucial stage. Lepcha said 125 families from Rel, Naga and Toong wards will be relocated to Upper Bojoghari. He added that land parchas are scheduled to be distributed on February 8, which will allow the construction of permanent houses for the displaced families.
The Toong–Naga stretch was among the worst-hit areas during the October 2023 GLOF, which caused widespread damage along the Teesta basin. Roads, bridges and settlements were washed away, and repeated landslides in the months that followed further cut off access, forcing several families to abandon their homes.
Officials said the reopening of the road marks a major turning point for North Sikkim. It signals not only the revival of tourism but also steady progress in long-term rehabilitation and resettlement efforts. The state government has reiterated that restoring safety, dignity and sustainable livelihoods for affected families remains a top priority.