Gangtok, Dec 15: The Sikkim government on Monday formally opened Cho-La Pass and Dok-La Pass for tourism under the Ran Bhoomi Darshan initiative, with Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang flagging off a convoy of 25 motorbikes and vehicles at Ridge Park in Gangtok.

The event was attended by Tourism and Civil Aviation and Commerce and Industries Minister T T Bhutia, MLA-cum-Advisor to the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Sudesh Subba, MLA-cum-Advisor to the Forest and Environment Department Tenzing Norbu Lamtha, Advisor to the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation Lukendra Rasaily, and Additional Chief Secretary of the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department C S Rao.

Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said the opening of the two passes was part of the Vibrant Village Programme, aimed at promoting tourism in border areas and creating livelihood opportunities for local communities through regulated tourism. He said the initiative was implemented in coordination with the Central Government, the State Government and Army authorities.

Referring to the Ran Bhoomi Darshan programme, Tamang said it seeks to open strategically important border areas for controlled tourism while highlighting their historical and military significance. He said the programme is designed to promote awareness of the role and sacrifices of the Armed Forces, while ensuring security and environmental safeguards. He added that infrastructure development in the region was underway to support tourism activities.

The Chief Minister also referred to the Super Car Rally organised by Army personnel as part of the Ran Bhoomi Darshan initiative and acknowledged the contribution of Major General M S Rathore and the organising team in conducting the event.

Additional Chief Secretary C S Rao said the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department had been working for the past two months in coordination with Army authorities to facilitate the opening of the passes and ensure safe movement of tourists. He said the convoy flagged off on Monday comprised 25 motorbikes and vehicles heading to Cho-La and Dok-La passes.

He added that basic facilities had already been put in place and further infrastructure development was ongoing. He said the Ran Bhoomi Darshan circuit would operate as a two-day battlefield tourism package, offering homestay accommodation at minimum charges with fixed vehicle rates.

The programme was organised by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim. The opening marks the start of regulated tourism to Cho-La and Dok-La passes under the Ran Bhoomi Darshan circuit, in coordination with the concerned authorities.

Several senior officials, including Chairperson of the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Norgay Lachungpa, Principal Chief Engineer-cum-Secretary Neeraj Pradhan, Secretary Hondala Gyaltsen, Secretary to the Chief Minister’s Office Karma Namgyal Bhutia, and officials from the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, were present at the event.