Tourism in north Sikkim’s Mangan district reopened today after being closed since late May because of natural calamities. But on the same day, heavy rain triggered a massive landslide at Bardang near the Singtam–Rangpo stretch (20th Mile), blocking National Highway 10, the main lifeline to Sikkim.
The Bengal part of NH-10 has been repaired and is open, but the Sikkim side remains blocked. Authorities have started clearing debris, though long traffic jams have caused serious problems for travellers.
Samrat Sanyal, general secretary of the Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network (HHTDN), said Himalayan tourist spots are becoming more vulnerable. He stressed that proper planning is urgently needed to keep tourism running in a sustainable way.
Sikkim additional chief secretary C S Rao said connectivity has been partly restored with the new Sanklang bridge. The bridge provides access to Dzongu and shortens travel time to Chungthang by about one and a half hours.
Government guidelines for tourists
The Sikkim government has reopened Lachung and Yumthang but issued strict rules for safety:
*Tourist vehicles from Gangtok to Chungthang must cross Sanklang Bridge by 1 p.m.
*Vehicles from Lachung to Gangtok must cross the Toong Check Post by 2 p.m.
*No travel is allowed after sunset.
*Tourists should hire experienced local drivers and book only through registered operators.
*Tourists and drivers must follow instructions from the district administration in case of emergencies.
The repeated blockages of NH-10 show how fragile Sikkim’s connectivity is. Experts say long-term measures are needed to ensure safe travel and sustainable tourism in the Himalayan state.