Improved connectivity key to boosting Sikkim tourism: PM Modi

BIJOY GURUNG

GANGTOK,: Prime Minister Narendra Modi ­­has said the Union government is giving top priority to Sikkim’s connectivity and infrastructural development to fully harness its tourism economy.

“Tourism economy is Sikkim’s biggest strength and is connected with the livelihood of the people here. Tourism develops when infrastructure is better and hence, we are giving top focus for development of Sikkim’s connectivity and infrastructure,” said the Prime Minister on Tuesday at Paljor Stadium here.

The Prime Minister added that hundreds of kilometres of roads have been laid with the aim of connecting every village in Sikkim. He said the Sevoke-Rangpo railway project is nearing completion, while work is also underway on the Bagdogra-Gangtok expressway and future ring roads for Gangtok. These projects are being undertaken to connect Sikkim with the rest of the nation, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was addressing the closing ceremony of Sikkim’s Statehood Golden Jubilee celebrations at Paljor Stadium, which saw a massive public turnout.

In his around 33-minute address, the Prime Minister highlighted the diversity of Sikkim tourism, including its natural beauty, the world’s third-highest peak Mount Khangchendzonga, rich biodiversity, environment, forest cover, peace, and cleanliness. Anyone who visits Sikkim would want to come again and again, he said.

Modi emphasised that for the growth of tourism, new ideas must be explored constantly, as is being done by the government. We are working with this thinking and the upcoming Bhaleydhunga skywalk project, glass-deck skywalk in Singshore Bridge, and ropeways at Yangang and Pelling are examples of exploring new tourism promotion ideas, he said.

He further said that such works undertaken by the BJP government in tourism, connectivity, and infrastructure could have been done earlier, but the Congress pushed back Sikkim’s development, citing the Sevoke-Rangpo railway project as an example of delay. The project, aimed at connecting Sikkim by rail, was sanctioned in 2008-09 but saw no ground progress and remained only on paper, he said. The BJP government accelerated the project, and the railway link is now reaching Sikkim, he added.

Prime Minister Modi also praised Sikkim for its cleanliness and environmental consciousness, drawing from his roadshow in Gangtok upon his arrival on Monday afternoon.

“The best part of the wonderful roadshow was the cleanliness of Sikkim roads and I salute the people of Sikkim. There was no dirt anywhere. People of Sikkim are the true guardians of nature, brand ambassadors. I tell the people of the country to come and visit Sikkim, you will find clean air and clean roads…cleanliness is there everywhere in Sikkim,” said the Prime Minister.

In his address, the Prime Minister said the global perspective on economic progress and resources has changed, with the world now focusing on sustainable lifestyle, organic food, and clean energy. He said Sikkim and the Northeast are centres of this futuristic growth, and Sikkim is an inspiration for the entire nation in organic farming. He also noted that Sikkim has huge potential in clean energy, which can be harnessed while protecting the environment.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister played a football session with young Sikkimese footballers, which he mentioned in his speech while highlighting Sikkim’s sporting potential. He said Sikkim has strong prospects in sports, and its youth have already proven their talent at national and international levels. Sporting talent in Sikkim must be given opportunities to grow and shine, he added.