In a significant breakthrough for rescue operations in North Sikkim, over 100 drivers who were stranded for over a week have finally been brought to safety. Following a massive road breach that cut off key transit points, a multi-agency effort successfully navigated treacherous terrain to evacuate the remaining motorists and their vehicles. A major evacuation operation in North Sikkim concluded successfully this Sunday, bringing much-needed relief to 114 drivers who had been stranded in Lachen since April 5. The motorists became trapped after a critical section of the road at Taram Chu, located along the Chungthang–Lachen axis, was severely damaged by landslides, snapping all primary connectivity.
While 1,321 tourists were previously rescued on April 9 via a makeshift footbridge, the drivers had remained behind with their vehicles, waiting for a viable extraction route. That solution arrived in the form of a challenging alternative path through the Dongkya La pass. Despite the high altitude and harsh weather conditions characteristic of the region, the evacuation was executed without any reported injuries.
The success of the mission was the result of seamless coordination between the Indian Army, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Sikkim Police. Local stakeholders played a pivotal role as well, with the Lachen Dzumsa, hotel associations, and driver unions providing ground-level support and logistical aid.
Supervised by Mangan Superintendent of Police LB Chettri and District Collector Anant Jain, the operation required precise on-ground management by SDPO Chungthang Chandan Chhetri and his team. Officials praised the resilience of the rescue teams who worked against the elements to clear the route and ensure that every stranded vehicle was successfully moved out of the affected zone.
With the drivers and tourists now safe, the focus shifts toward the BRO’s ongoing efforts to repair the Taram Chu road breach and restore permanent connectivity to the border regions.