Sunday, Sep 20, 2026 23:15 [IST]
Last Update: Saturday, Sep 19, 2026 17:41 [IST]
GANGTOK,:The Urban Development department (UDD) and Public Health Engineering department (PHED) have joined hands to strengthen interdepartmental coordination for the implementation of Asian Development Bank-funded Sikkim Integrated Urban Development Project (SIUDP).
A meeting-cum-workshop on SIUDP, themed “Working Together for Better Sikkim”, was held in Gangtok on Saturday, bringing together senior officials, technical experts and departmental representatives to strengthen collaboration and establish a coordinated approach towards project implementation, informs a press release.
The project seeks to strengthen urban infrastructure in Sikkim, with interventions covering water supply, sewerage, urban mobility, transit infrastructure and other urban development sectors, according to the press release.
While PHED is responsible for water supply and sewerage infrastructure, UDD is responsible for key urban mobility, transit and other urban infrastructure interventions under SIUDP.
“The coming together of UDD and PHED reflects the government’s commitment to coordinated and integrated urban development. The collaboration between the two departments reinforces the principle that integrated planning, shared accountability, and coordinated implementation are essential for the successful delivery of a landmark project of this scale,” the release states.
Addressing the workshop, UDD commissioner-cum-secretary Jitendra Singh Rajestressed the need for collective responsibility, timely decision-making, inter-departmental support and coordinated implementation to ensure that the benefits of the project reach communities effectively.
He also emphasised clear communication, accountability and coordination among departments and stakeholders for successful execution of the project.
PHED principal chief engineer Sanjeev Rai underlined the importance of coordinated action between two departmentsfor the successful execution of SIUDP.
Project director Bhupendra Kuthari gave an overview of the conception and implementation of SIUDP, while project manager-cum-MIS officer Niranjan Kapil outlined its objectives, implementation framework, key components and strategic approach.
The technical sessions covered institutional responsibilities, implementation mechanisms, financial management, technical specifications, project progress and other implementation requirements.
The sessions also addressed ADB compliance requirements, including environmental and social safeguards, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), stakeholder engagement and applicable safeguard policies.
The session on key takeaways, action points and the way forward was led by superintending engineerBinay Lama.
“The vision of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) for an empowered and developed Sikkim places urban infrastructure at the heart of economic growth, improved public services, and enhanced quality of life for its people. Recognising the growing importance of urban centres in Sikkim’s development journey, SIUDP seeks to strengthen the urban infrastructure necessary for sustainable and inclusive growth,” the release adds.
The SIUDP is aimed at strengthening urban infrastructure and public services in the state and improving urban connectivity, with the government viewing urban development as an important component of its broader development objectives.
