Bengal, Sikkim ink 'historic transport pact : The earlier agreement between the govtsof the two states, which wassigned in 2007, had lapsed

The earlier agreement between the govts of the two states, which was signed in 2007, had lapsed

SNS, SILIGURI, 5 JULY 2022: The states of West Bengal and Sikkim signed a 'reciprocal agreement' on transport related issues amid a meeting in Siliguri this evening.

The earlier agreement between the governments of the two states. which was signed in 2007, and a supplementary agreement later, had both lapsed, giving rise to the need to sign a fresh one, according officials.

In the absence of a valid agreement, not only the state governments, but also transporters of both the state as have been facing problems doing business and maintaining official records.

Keeping in mind some practical as well as technical points, especially in Sikkim, for the nation's security reasons, both the states have modified the earlier system and increased the number of vehicles that can move between the states, and the routes, reciprocally, an official said.

On behalf of the West Bengal government, Transport Minister Firhad Hakim held a meeting with Sikkim Transport Minister Sanjeet Kharel, which was also attended by administrative and police officials of both the states.

The agreement was signed at a private hotel here by the departmental principal secretaries, Rajesh Sinha from Bengal and Raj Yadav from the neighbouring state of Sikkim.

While Sikkim Transport Minister, Mr Kharel, described the agreement as historic, Mr Hakim claimed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's policy was to extend cooperation to other states to bring in development.

"In fact, the reciprocal agreements had lapsed and monitoring systems were in a chaotic situation. This fresh agreement will also bring in development in the tourism sector for both the states. We have increased the number of points in Sikkim where transport from Bengal will be able to drop tourists in their destinations only. Local transporters will be engaged in sight-seeing, based on restrictions which were imposed earlier within Sikkim," Mr Hakim said.

On the other hand, Mr Kharel expressed happiness with the decisions of the West Bengal government to not change the Sikkim state government's policy to generate employment in the transport sector within the state and described it as a historic agreement.