Mangan, Jan 6: The Toong–Naga road, a vital arterial link connecting Mangan with Chungthang and strategic border areas of North Sikkim, was officially reopened on Thursday after remaining closed for nearly two years due to extensive damage caused by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) and subsequent flash floods.
The road had been shut since 2023 following severe destruction during natural disasters, including the flash floods of June 12–13, 2024.
Briefing the media, Mangan District Magistrate Anant Jain said the stretch had suffered repeated damage, forcing authorities to close it multiple times.
“After the June flash floods, the area was declared disaster-affected and an FIR was lodged. Although the road was reopened briefly around August–September, it could remain operational for only 15 to 20 days due to extensive damage,” he said.
Jain added that the road has now been fully restored following comprehensive structural repairs and slope stabilisation measures.
During the prolonged closure, commuters and tourists were compelled to use the Sangkalang–Shipgyer route, a significantly longer and hazardous alternative marked by extreme narrowness and 42 sharp hairpin bends. The detour increased travel time by nearly one and a half hours and posed serious safety concerns.
The latest restoration works include the construction of the Ritchu Bridge, completed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and blacktopping of the road surface. The rehabilitated stretch spans approximately 10–15 kilometres from Manul, beyond Naga village, up to Theeng Tunnel, reducing travel time to about 30 minutes.
Referring to earlier safety challenges, the District Magistrate noted that a Bailey bridge along the route and frequent boulder falls had earlier made the area vulnerable.
“Due to hill cutting and loose boulders, the slope had become destabilised. With proper treatment of falling zones and slope correction, the hill has now stabilised, making the road more resilient,” he said.
A load limit of 20 tonnes has been imposed on the road based on technical recommendations from the executing agency. While earlier movement was restricted to daylight hours, the road is now open without time restrictions.
The reopening of the Toong–Naga road has brought significant relief to local residents, transporters, and daily commuters, and is expected to substantially improve mobility and connectivity in North Sikkim, particularly between Mangan and Chungthang.
