West Bengal and Sikkim Governments Sign MoU to Boost Inter-State Tourism

West Bengal and Sikkim Govts Sign MoU: The primary goal of the MoU is to increase the number of buses operating between Siliguri and Gangtok.

The governments of West Bengal and Sikkim have signed a reciprocal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance inter-state transport and cater to the expected growth in tourist movement during summers to the eastern Himalayan region.

The MoU was signed at a meeting in Siliguri on Wednesday, in the presence of Bengal’s Transport Minister Snehashish Chakraborty, Sikkim’s Transport Department Adviser Madan Cinturi, and other key officials.

The primary goal of the MoU is to increase the number of buses operating between Siliguri and Gangtok from the current 3,000 to 4,000 and introduce electric buses on the route to ensure eco-friendly travel.

Additionally, the Bengal government aims to boost connectivity between Gangtok and other north Bengal districts, including Alipurduar and Malda.

This meeting marks the first dialogue between the two states’ officials in three years. Certain issues troubling taxi operators of Siliguri states was also discussed in the meeting.

One issue that was discussed involved complaints from taxi owners in Siliguri regarding the Bengal government’s temporary permits for vehicles entering Sikkim. Currently, permits are issued for 14 to 28 days, leading to higher costs compared to operators from Sikkim.

Moreover, commercial cabs registered in Bengal are required to pay an additional Rs. 200 when crossing into Sikkim, a fee not levied on Sikkim-registered vehicles.

Transport Minister Snehashish Chakraborty acknowledged the challenges with the existing agreement and expressed optimism that the revised MoU would address these concerns. He assured that the new agreement would be drawn up with mutual consensus.

Sikkim officials have also requested that tourist vehicles from Siliguri and other areas be allowed direct access to Gangtok while insisting that local operators retain the right to offer sightseeing services within Sikkim. The rationale behind this request is to protect the livelihood of local transport providers, as tourism remains a vital source of income.

Also Read: Sikkimey Nagarik Samaj Submits Memorandum to PMO and President on Sikkim’s Unresolved Issues

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