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Sarikah Atreya

Gangtok, July 21 Mr Brahm Dutt, the Secretary in the Ministry of Surface Transport, called on Mr Pawan Chamling, the Sikkim Chief Minister, at his official residence at Mintokgang here on Saturday and discussed the relevant issues pertaining to the construction of an alternative highway for the State.

Mr Kamalesh Kumar, the Chief Engineer in the Ministry, was also present.

Welcoming the Union Secretary, the Chief Minister suggested that the alternative route could be through either Nepal or Bhutan. This was needed because Sikkim being a land-locked State, its economy and people suffered immensely by the frequent closure of the National Highway 31A during the political upheavals in the neighbouring State and also by frequent landslides during the monsoon season.

Sikkim was a progressive State and the need for an independent alternative highway was a necessity for its people, he emphasised pointing out that proper road connectivity was also essential for promoting State’s tourism industry.

There being no airfield in Sikkim now, the Chief Minister suggested the need for having one particularly to maintain the supply of essential commodities during the closure of the National Highway.

The Union Secretary, it is learnt, assured that the Centre would look into the alternative highway proposal and find a solution.

He also indicated to constitute a team comprising officials from the PWD, Border Roads Organisation and officials from the Ministry of Surface Transport to work out the modalities for the new alignment of the alternative highway from eastern Sikkim via Bhutan.

The Union Secretary also discussed the matter with the State Chief Secretary.

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