CM Tamang seeks support of DONER Minister for boosting tourism development in Sikkim

New Delhi, November 25: Chief Minister of Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang today called on Union Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Development of North East Region G Kishan Reddy at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

CM Tamang conveyed his gratitude to the Union Minister and the Union Council of Ministers for approving the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for the North East (PM-DevINE). He also informed about the amount earmarked as gap funding for the Design, Supply, Installation, Testing, and Commissioning of Passenger Ropeway System from Pelling to Sanga-Choeling in West Sikkim and Passenger Ropeway from Dhapper to Bhaleydhunga in South Sikkim. He added that the projects have been recommended by the State Level Empowered Committee, and the DPR has been submitted to the Ministry of DoNER.

Speaking on the proposals submitted to the Ministry, he sought the consideration and support of the Union Minister for the construction of the Toy Museum and Cultural Lab and the Tagore Cultural Centre for youth culture & convention Centre near Pakyong Airport, the Tagore Cultural Centre for Bhutia Community at Kewzing. Besides this, the CM added that the State Government will be forwarding a few proposals recommended by the 15 Finance Commission under State specific projects for Sikkim and requested the Union Minister for his consideration.

Highlighting the setback faced by the tourism sector due to the abrupt suspension of flights from the Greenfield Airport located at Pakyong, he requested the Union Minister to pursue this with the concerned Ministry for the restoration of flight operations. He also sought the support of the Ministry for increasing the frequency of flights from Bagdogra to Guwahati which will be helpful for the people of Sikkim and the neighboring states visiting the Kamakhya temple for pilgrimage and will also boost the inter-state tourism in the North-East region.

Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim V.B Pathak, Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House Ashwini Chand, and Secretary to HCM S.D Dhakal were also present during the meeting.