The Hindu : Other States / Sikkim News : State to take up Gangtok-Lhasa bus service issue with Centre

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Monday, May 31, 2004

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Other States - Sikkim

State to take up Gangtok-Lhasa bus service issue with Centre

By Marcus Dam

KOLKATA, MAY 30. The Sikkim Government is expected to take up with the Centre the issue of introduction of bus services between Gangtok and Lhasa once the Nathu La pass on the Sino-Indian border is re-opened.

The Chief Minister, Pawan Kumar Chamling, would discuss the proposal with the Ministers concerned of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government. The distance between Gangtok and Lhasa is about 500 km and the State Government is prepared to meet the infra-structural requirements for the bus service on the Indian side, sources told The Hindu over telephone from Gangtok today.

On the lines of the Delhi-Lahore and the Kolkata-Dhaka services, the new route would considerably boost tourism in the region, the sources added.

Mr. Chamling had welcomed the Chinese Government's decision to show Sikkim as a part of India in its World Map Year Book 2003-2004, saying that the move "completed the emotional and geographical integration of Sikkim with India." He will ask the Centre to hasten the process of re-opening the Nathu La route. The "token" re-opening of the route is scheduled for July "though it would take another year or so for setting up the necessary infrastructure," the sources said.

The Government has taken steps to promote "religious tourism" in the State and the proposed Gangtok-Lhasa bus service is expected to benefit pilgrims heading for Manasarovar in the south Tibetan region of China. The journey at present has to be made through Uttaranchal, a considerably longer route. The private sector would be invited to facilitate commercial traffic through the pass.

A by-pass between Nathu La and Gangtok would be constructed to ease the traffic along the present road linking the Sikkim capital with the border outpost.

The Government plans to take up the airport project at Pakyong, about 20 km from Gangtok.

According to State officials, about Rs. 50 crores had been allotted by the Planning Commission for the purpose. The Airport Authority of India, however, has said that there was need for additional acquisition of land for constructing the runway. The demand by the West Bengal Government to convert the Bagdogra airport near Siliguri into an international one would also considerably boost tourism in the region.

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State to take up Gangtok-Lhasa bus service issue with Centre