Gangtok, September 7 (IPR): The Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Mr C S Rao, along with PCE-cum-Secretary Mr Neeraj Pradhan, Secretary Ms Hondala Gyaltsen, and Additional Director Mr Tenzing Gelay Bhutia, addressed a press conference at the Mini Conference Hall of the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, today.
Mr C S Rao in his address informed that North Sikkim (Mangan District) had remained closed to tourists since the end of May due to natural calamities. He stated that in coordination with the BRO, the Sanklang bridge had been inaugurated to restore connectivity to the Dzongu region. He added that the diversion reduces travel time by about one and a half hours for visitors going towards Chungthang. He confirmed that North Sikkim will reopen for tourists from tomorrow morning and that online permits are being issued. He further informed that tourists can visit Lachung, Yumthang Valley and Zero Point, while Lachen will reopen in the next tourist season.
He said that tourists must cross the Sanklang bridge checkpost by 1:00 pm while proceeding and the Toong bridge by 2:00 pm while returning. He added that permits will be available online, from Mangan, or temporarily from the Chungthang SDM office.
Mr C S Rao said that Defence Minister Mr Rajnath Singh had announced battlefield tourism on January 15, 2025. He added that Sikkim has three destinations under this initiative: Nathula, Chola and Doklam. He informed that after a meeting with the Chief Secretary, departmental Secretaries, army officials and BRO officials, it was decided to open Chola and Doklam for domestic tourists from 27 September, with an initial limit of 25 vehicles per day.
He further mentioned that on September 4, 2025, the North East Minister’s Civil Aviation Conference-cum-3rd North East Aviation Summit took place at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu. He said the meeting provided an opportunity to raise concerns about operations from Pakyong airport, to which Mr Naidu assured improved air connectivity. He added that the government plans to bring in Boeing or Airbus aircraft, which will require extending the runway length by one kilometre, from 1.75 km to 2.75 km. He further stated that the Toong-Naga road is expected to be ready within two months.
He concluded his address with gratitude to stakeholders of the tourism industry in the state for their cooperation.
Report from DIO-GANGTOK
