Gangtok, March 8: Tourism to the iconic high-altitude Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim is slowly reviving after more than two years of disruption caused by the devastating Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) of October 2023, which destroyed key bridges and road networks in the region.

Authorities have resumed issuing tourist permits following the reopening of the crucial Chungthang–Lachen road with the inauguration of the newly constructed 400-foot Taram Chu bridge. The bridge restores road connectivity to Lachen, the main base for tourists travelling to Gurudongmar Lake.

Located at an altitude of nearly 17,000 feet near the India–China border, Gurudongmar Lake is one of India’s highest lakes and a major tourism draw in North Sikkim, attracting thousands of visitors every year.

The 2023 GLOF disaster washed away multiple bridges and severely damaged stretches of road in the region, bringing tourism activity in the Lachen belt to a near halt and cutting off access to several remote settlements.

North Sikkim District Magistrate Anant Jain said vehicular movement resumed after the final bridge along the route — the Taram Chu bridge — was completed and inaugurated last week.

“The newly constructed 400-foot bridge was inaugurated last week, after which vehicular movement resumed,” Jain said.

Authorities have also issued safety advisories for vehicles crossing the newly restored bridges along the route.

“Only one vehicle will be allowed to cross the bridge at a time as it permits single-lane movement. Allowing two vehicles simultaneously would be risky from both safety and engineering perspectives,” Jain said.

Drivers have also been asked to follow load capacity limits and maintain a time gap while crossing the bridges. The advisory has been circulated to the Tourism Department and checkposts, including the Third Mile office, from where most tourist permits are issued online.

Jain confirmed that tourist movement has now resumed without restrictions.

“Permits are being issued as the road from Chungthang to Lachen and Lachung is open and in good condition,” he said.

The reopening has brought renewed optimism among tourism stakeholders in Lachen, whose local economy relies heavily on visitors travelling to Gurudongmar Lake.

Dathup Lachenpa, president of the Lachen Hotels and Homestay Association, said the restoration of connectivity has given a much-needed boost to the region’s tourism sector.

“The opening of the Taram Chu Bridge has sent a very positive message to tourism stakeholders in Lachen,” he said.

Tourism operators are now preparing for the return of visitors as permits begin to be issued again.

“The weather is favourable right now, and we are ready to welcome tourists,” he said, adding that Gurudongmar Lake remains the biggest attraction for travellers visiting North Sikkim.

“Most tourists coming to North Sikkim want to visit Gurudongmar Lake, so Lachen naturally becomes their base,” he said.

However, stakeholders caution that the region remains vulnerable following recent natural disasters.

“The entire belt has become fragile after the GLOF and heavy rains. Infrastructure damage, especially to roads and bridges, has been a major challenge,” Dathup said.

Local tourism stakeholder Pepe Lachenpa said the restoration of connectivity is crucial not only for tourism but also for the daily lives of residents.

“For a long time, the entire Lachen belt was cut off from communication and transportation. People survived on essential materials that had to be carried manually from lower areas,” he said.

He added that residents managed the prolonged disruption largely because families traditionally store food grains and essential supplies for several months.

“Because of this habit of storing supplies, we were able to manage even when rations and essential commodities could not reach us for months,” he said.

Despite the reopening, locals warn that the mountainous terrain remains fragile, particularly along the high-altitude route leading to Gurudongmar Lake.

“The entire belt is very vulnerable. Even newly constructed roads may not last for long because of the nature of the terrain,” Pepe said.

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