GANGTOK: Lok Sabha (Sikkim) MP Indra Hang Subba met Sanjay Kumar Jha, the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture during the committee’s official visit to Sikkim.
A press release informs that the meeting took place in Gangtok, where the Lok Sabha MP submitted a detailed representation seeking urgent intervention in two critical areas concerning Sikkim. The issues were the restoration of infrastructure in North Sikkim and the revival of flight operations at Pakyong Airport, a press release on Monday informs.
The Lok Sabha MP briefed the chairperson on the ongoing crisis faced by the people and tourism stakeholders in North Sikkim following repeated natural disasters — notably the Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) of 4th October 2023 and the flash flood of 1st June 2025. These events severely damaged infrastructure, particularly the Toong–Naga stretch, cutting off vital destinations such as Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang, Yumesamdong, Katao, Kalapathar, and Gurudongmar Lake.
In his representation, Indra Hang urged the Parliamentary Committee’s immediate support for restoration of all damaged roads and bridges leading to key tourist hubs, development of climate-resilient infrastructure, including elevated roads and tunnels, special relief packages for tourism stakeholders including homestays, tour operators, and transporters, and banking assistance, such as moratoriums, restructuring of loans, waiver of penal interest, and emergency credit lines.
The Lok Sabha MP also highlighted the strategic importance of these roads for national security due to their proximity to the Indo-China border.
The memorandum also addressed issues at Pakyong Airport, and requested immediate resumption of SpiceJet flights connecting Pakyong to Delhi and other key cities, runway expansion from 1.75 km to 3.0 km to enable operation of larger aircraft, and procurement of Bombardier Q-400 aircraft by Air India and other carriers, ideal for regional operations at Pakyong.
Indra Hang further noted that Sikkim recently celebrated its Golden Jubilee of Statehood, graced virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and that strengthening connectivity now would support the State’s progress and strength, the release mentions.
The Lok Sabha MP expressed his sincere gratitude to the chairperson and members of the committee for their visit and assured his continued commitment to the development of Sikkim and the well-being of its people, the release mentions.
- SA Report
