Chief Minister of Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang on Tuesday officially opened Cho La and Dok La, two strategically significant border destinations, for tourists under the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative.
Announcing the development, the Chief Minister said the decision aligns with the vision of developing border areas by promoting responsible tourism while strengthening infrastructure and livelihoods in remote regions. Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Tourism, aimed at showcasing India’s border heritage and battlefields while fostering socio-economic growth in frontier villages.
Tamang highlighted that the Government of Sikkim is working in line with the Government of India’s Vibrant Villages Programme, which focuses on the principle of “developing the last village first.” He noted that border areas in the state are witnessing rapid development due to coordinated efforts by central and state agencies.
“Our idea is to develop the last village first. Because of the Vibrant Villages Programme, border areas are developing. With the support of the Government of India, the Indian Army and the Tourism Department, Cho La and Dok La have been opened today under Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Government of India, the Indian Army, and the Tourism Department for their continued support. He also assured that infrastructure development in the region would be further strengthened to ensure sustainable and safe tourism.
Tamang additionally thanked the Indian Army for organising the Supercar Rally in the region and appreciated the efforts of GOC Mr Rathore, his team, and the organising committee for their role in promoting tourism and connectivity.
The opening of Cho La and Dok La to tourists is expected to provide a significant boost to border tourism, improve connectivity, and contribute to the overall development of Sikkim’s frontier regions.
