Tourism lost crores for bandhs: Sikkim CM

TT, Siliguri, Nov. 2:Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling today said his state’s tourism industry had lost Rs 5,000 crore because of the Gorkhaland agitation in Bengal since 1986 and suggested that the two governments “join hands” to develop “common tourism projects and infrastructure”.

“From 1986 (when Subash Ghisingh launched the agitation) to the latest strikes (called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha), the losses we have incurred in the tourism sector is around Rs 5,000 crore,” Chamling told reporters at Bagdogra airport on his way to Delhi this morning.

The Sikkim chief minister said his government had raised the issue with the Centre and the state government several times but “so far, not much has been done to save us”.

Chamling said the “location” of Sikkim, which has only one road link with the rest of the country, was the state’s “prime disadvantage”.

The Sevoke-Gangtok NH31A used to be frequently blocked during statehood agitations, cutting off Sikkim from the rest of the country.

The Sikkim chief minister said his government was ready to co-operate with the Bengal administration to “execute common tourism projects and infrastructure”.

“We are ready to join hands with the Bengal government to plan and execute common tourism projects in the combined north Bengal-Sikkim circuit,” Chamling said.

Bengal tourism minister Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury welcomed Chamling’s suggestion. “I will request my Sikkim counterpart to ensure more tourist buses between Siliguri and Gangtok,” he said.