Sikkim‘s lone Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba on Monday (June 30, 2025) met Sanjay Kumar Jha, chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture, and submitted a representation seeking urgent intervention for the restoration of flight operations at Pakyong airport and connectivity in the northern parts of the State.
A statement from the MP’s office said that Mr. Subba briefed Mr. Jha about 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 October 4, 2023 and the flash flood of June 1 this year.
“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,” it said.
“In the representation, Mr. Subba called for immediate support in areas such as the restoration of all damaged roads and bridges leading to key tourist hubs in the State, the development of climate-resilient infrastructure including elevated roads and tunnels, and a special relief package for tourism stakeholders including homestays, tour operators, and transporters and banking assistance, including moratoriums, restructuring of loans, waiver of penal interest, and emergency credit lines,” the statement said.
“He also highlighted the strategic importance of these roads for national security owing to their proximity to the India-China border,” it said.
The representation also addressed issues at Pakyong airport and requested the immediate resumption of SpiceJet flights connecting Pakyong to Delhi and other key cities, the expansion of runway from 1.75 km to 3 km to enable operation of larger aircraft and the procurement of Bombardier Q-400 aircraft by Air India and other carriers, ideal for regional operations at Pakyong.
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The MP noted that Sikkim recently celebrated its golden jubilee of Statehood, and that strengthening connectivity would support the State’s progress. The Parliamentary committee is on a five-day visit to the Himalayan State.
Published – June 30, 2025 05:12 pm IST
