Lieutenant General Harpal Singh Reviews Infrastructure Post-Glacial Flood in Sikkim

Infrastructure Assessment Following Glacial Flooding

On Tuesday, Lieutenant General Harpal Singh, the Director General Border Roads (DGBR), visited Sikkim to evaluate the state of road infrastructure following the 2023 glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). During his visit, he reviewed the measures taken to address the disaster's aftermath.

According to a press release, General Singh met with Lieutenant General Man Raj Singh, the General Officer Commanding of the Trishakti Corps, and Ravinder Telang, the Chief Secretary of the Sikkim government. The meeting aimed to ensure coordinated civil-military efforts to enhance long-term connectivity and disaster response capabilities.

The discussions focused on repairing and upgrading roads damaged by flooding, reinforcing vulnerable areas, stabilizing slopes, improving drainage, and implementing protective measures to ensure reliable all-weather connectivity in Sikkim's fragile high-altitude terrain. The release emphasized the adoption of climate-resilient infrastructure solutions to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events in the future.

In the immediate aftermath of the 2023 global landslide, the Indian Army, under the leadership of the Trishakti Corps, swiftly assisted civil authorities. Troops were deployed for evacuation support, medical aid, debris removal, and reopening critical road links, restoring access to remote and cut-off areas amid challenging terrain and weather conditions. Engineering resources established temporary connectivity solutions to maintain the flow of essential supplies and services.

As relief operations progressed, the Trishakti Corps maintained close coordination with the Border Roads Organization (BRO) and the Sikkim government to prioritize strengthening infrastructure in affected areas, establishing alternative routes, and implementing disaster mitigation measures, while also providing ongoing logistical, medical, and community support.