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| Headlines Vol. 3 Issue No. 29 | June 7-21, 2005 |
Nathula closure raises doubts about reopening The closure of the Nathula pass following a landslide has raised doubts about plans to open the India-China silk route by September this year.Army sources said they would not allow the other route to Nathula through Rongli and Rhenock. ''We are coordinating with the tourism department at the moment,'' they said. While sources within the government could not say whether it would be possible to open up the border by September, B B Gooroong, advisor to the Chief Minister, insisted that work was progressing on the Nathula Road on a war-footing and the Centre had directed the BRO to meet the deadline for opening the border. About a month ago, a high-level committee from the Centre had visited Nathula and declared that the silk route would be opened by September this year. A note prepared by the industries department said the high-powered committee had insisted that the deadline should be September 2005.The road from Gangtok to Nathula had been ''permanently closed'' after heavy downpours on May 25, according to a top BRO official. Official sources said the damage to the road was initially 170 metres, but it has widened so much that initial plans for construction of the bridge had to be abandoned. ''Now a total realignment of the road has to be made,'' the sources said. The official said the initial damage was estimated to be around Rs one crore. ''We are prepared to construct a new road but for that we will need the funds and the consent of the Army. At the moment, no work can be done on the Nathula road through Gangtok,'' the sources added. Sikkam| North East Enquirer (Headlines) | Nena Home Page | |
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