Essential safety measures — including crash barriers, road signage and reflectors — are being installed along the accident-prone Tikjek cliff stretch in West Sikkim after the Sikkim High Court took suo motu cognisance of a Sikkim Express report highlighting serious public safety concerns. Work on the roughly half-kilometre stretch has begun and is being expedited following the court’s intervention, officials said, though the installation of street lights may take longer because it falls under the Power department’s remit and requires separate assessment and estimates.
The High Court initiated the suo motu PIL after the media report drew attention to the hazardous nature of the road, which local residents and representatives have long said needs safety upgrades. Public concern increased recently after a truck plunged off the Tikjek stretch, killing three people, prompting renewed demands for protective measures.
District Collector Tenzing D. Denzongpa inspected the site on Saturday, April 18, 2026, reviewed progress and issued directions to the departments involved. “Work is being expedited and the installation of crash barriers and signage will be completed soon. However, the installation of street lights may take more time as the Power department needs to prepare proper plans and estimates,” he said, adding that crash-barrier installation should be finished within a week.
The project is being executed by the State Public Works Department (PWD) under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) through the Rural Development department. Officials from the PWD, members of the Lingchom-Tikjek panchayat unit and local residents accompanied the district collector during the inspection.
The Tikjek cliff stretch, constructed along a steep slope rising more than 300 feet, links Lingchom with nearby areas such as Dentam and provides a shorter route for many commuters in West Sikkim. The road has a history of frequent accidents and has claimed several lives over the years, which residents say made the demand for crash barriers and lighting long overdue.
Lingchom-Tikjek panchayat president Rajen Limboo welcomed the development, calling the measures “long pending” and expressing hope that they would significantly reduce accidents. Local residents and taxi drivers also urged authorities to ensure high-quality execution to prevent further mishaps.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/tikjek-cliff-safety-works-begin-after-high-court-intervention-on-accident-prone-stretch
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