The Rangrang Bridge, arguably the seventh
highest in Asia, was inaugurated today. Situated near Mangan
in North Sikkim, the bridge is 123-metre-long. Its height
is 801.30 metres.
The bridge contains three levels ~ high flood (714 metres),
ordinary flood level (709.50 metres) and low flood level (708.50
metres). The bridge was constructed with an expenditure of
over Rs 5 crore.
"We want to modernise all the technical equipment in
our construction and develop manpower skill," said Lt
General KS Rao, PVSM, SC.
"We did not disturb the environment while constructing
the bridge," he added.
The project was a brainchild of the Border Roads Organisation
(BRO). It was constructed under the BRO’s Project Dantak.
"Another two bridges ~ Rang Chang Khola at Bansoi and
a similar bridge at Toong ~ would be inaugurated soon,"
Mr Rao, said. He added that the construction of the bridges
is at the final stage.
"These bridges would boost the state's infrastructure,"
Mr Rao, said.
A cultural programme was organised today to mark the inauguration
of the Rangrang bridge. Students from Tibetan and Nepali communities
performed dances on the occasion in presence of a large number
of people.
Earlier, the Rangrang bridge was a Bailey bridge on which
only one vehicle used to ply at a time.