A massive landslide at 7th Mile under Kyongnosla village in East Sikkim has remained active for the past 10 days, displacing 65 families and triggering concerns over public safety and connectivity along the strategically important Jawaharlal Nehru (JN) Road near the Indo-China border.
The landslide has completely washed away the old road leading towards the border, a route that provides access to several Indian Army camps. Residents have warned that if the existing alternative road is also affected by fresh landslides, connectivity to the border region could be severely disrupted.
The displaced families are currently living in temporary relief camps as the unstable slope continues to pose a threat to the surrounding area.
Local residents alleged that despite the severity of the situation and the strategic significance of the route, no administrative officials or concerned authorities have visited the site to assess the damage or interact with the affected families.
According to the residents, the damaged road falls under the jurisdiction of the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF). They claimed GREF officials informed them that the road was no longer in regular use because an alternative route was available and that there were no funds at present for its restoration.
Residents, however, questioned this approach, saying dependence on a single alternative route could create serious difficulties if it is also blocked by landslides during the monsoon.
The affected families have appealed to both the Central and Sikkim governments to take immediate steps to restore the damaged road, conduct a detailed on-site assessment and implement measures to prevent further damage and ensure uninterrupted connectivity to the border region.
