From Bagdogra Expressway to Ring Roads: PM Outlines Connectivity Roadmap for Sikkim

Reiterating that tourism was the mainstay of Sikkim's economy, Modi said that the Centre’s focus is on boosting the state's connectivity, which would increase tourist inflow.
Speaking at closing ceremony of Sikkim’s 50th Year of Statehood celebrations with the launch and inauguration of over 30 development projects worth thousands of crores of rupees in Gangtok, Modi said, "The government is committed to augmenting Sikkim's infrastructure, including building an expressway from West Bengal's Bagdogra, and a ring road in Gangtok to increase tourist inflow.”
He informed the gathering that ropeway and skyways projects are on the anvil for the state, while an expressway would be built in Nathula to ensure more tourist inflow.
He said, "The northeast, including Sikkim, is India's 'Ashtalakshmi'. The government is resolved to 'Act East, Act Fast'."
Talking about biodiversity of the state, Modi said, "Nature and culture become alive in Sikkim. The cleanliness of the state's roads and its air purity shows that people here are true brand-ambassadors for the conservation of nature."
The Prime Minister asserted that the northeast, including Sikkim, is set to become the hub of futuristic growth and sustainable development through initiatives such as organic agriculture. He heaped praise on Sikkim for being an abode of peace, spiritualism and wellness, and urged tourists to visit the Himalayan state in large numbers.
"Sikkim has immense scope in eco-wellness tourism, which the government is promoting. As many as 1,000 homestays are being built, and adventure tourism is getting an infrastructure boost," Modi said, adding that the Himalayan state ‘reflects 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' at a time when efforts are made to divide the nation based on ‘faith and political affiliation’.
Describing Sikkim as the heaven of the East, the Prime Minister also appealed to tourists to visit the state for its natural beauty, especially its diverse orchids.
The Prime Minister, who played football with budding talents in the morning, said, "The government is making all efforts to augment sports infrastructure in Sikkim and hone talents, especially in football and archery."
He availed the opportunity to take potshots at successive Congress governments, accusing them of keeping Sikkim's development projects on the back burner.
"I will do whatever is possible for the development of Sikkim and other northeastern states, which the Congress had ignored. The Congress neglected health services in Sikkim," Modi alleged, and assured that the current government is committed to augmenting health infrastructure and providing quality and affordable service to people.
Citing the example of an excruciating delay in the construction of the Sevoke-Rangpo rail project connecting Sikkim with the rest of the country, he said, “The Sevoke-Rangpo rail project was approved by the UPA government in 2008-09, but the construction could not begin due to the ‘lackadaisical approach’ of the then government, which could not acquire land for the project.”
Modi said that the rail project was fast-tracked only after the NDA came to power, and the work is ‘progressing at a rapid speed’.
The Prime Minister was also impressed by the cultural richness of Sikkim and said that the artistes, who performed with aplomb at the function, showcased the diversity of the country.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attending the concluding ceremony of celebrations to mark the golden jubilee of the state's statehood and launching projects worth over `4,000 crore.