Route through Lava, Reshi to open for small vehicles from Friday

IPR, GANGTOK, OCTOBER 5, 2023 : Chief Secretary of Sikkim V. B. Pathak on Thursday convened a series of meetings with representatives of chambers of commerce, wholesalers and retailers, pharmacy association, IOC representatives, LPG dealers and distributors, petrol pump owners, and the Taxi Drivers Association, here at Tashiling Secretariat in Gangtok and asked the National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation to open the route through Lava and Reshi check posts for small and heavy vehicles at the earliest. 

The Executive Director NHIDCL assured that the route would be cleared by Friday morning. The Transport Secretary was asked to issue a notification for route diversion for small and heavy vehicles after ensuring clearance of the route. 

To keep the rates of the essential commodities unchanged, the State Government has decided not to levy SNT supervision charges on private vehicles carrying essential commodities through Rangpo, Reshi and Melli check posts. 

If the SNT fleet is being used to transport essential commodities through the new route, the charges will be the same as that of the normal route. Keeping in view the burden of excess distance of about 100 km, the decision for subsidy has been taken. 

The Chief Secretary appealed to all the associations not to hike the rates of the essential commodities. 

He also requested the members present to avoid hoarding LPG, petrol and essential commodities. He also requested the Taxi Drivers Association to avoid overcharging the passengers2