Sikkim and West Bengal Strengthen Cooperation on Healthcare, Transport and Teesta Restoration

KalimNews, July 4, 2026, Kalimpong: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (P.S. Golay) met the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri Suvendu Adhikari, at Nabanna, the State Secretariat in Kolkata, to discuss a range of important issues aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two neighbouring states.

The high-level meeting resulted in several significant decisions covering healthcare, transport, infrastructure and environmental management, all expected to benefit the people of both Sikkim and West Bengal.

One of the major outcomes was the approval of the long-pending proposal to construct Suswastha Bhawan Sikkim at the Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) Complex in Siliguri. The facility is intended to provide accommodation and essential support to patients from Sikkim and their attendants while they undergo medical treatment in Siliguri.

According to the Sikkim Chief Minister, the proposal had remained pending for a considerable period. During the meeting, the West Bengal Chief Minister approved the initiative and directed the concerned department to issue the necessary permission. Prem Singh Tamang expressed his appreciation for the prompt decision, stating that the facility would offer much-needed assistance to countless patients and families during difficult times.

Another key issue discussed was the reciprocal transport agreement between the Governments of Sikkim and West Bengal, particularly the long-standing demand to increase the quota of countersignature permits for Sikkim-registered taxis operating in West Bengal.

In a major boost for the transport sector, the West Bengal Government approved an increase in the permit quota from 3,000 to 6,000, allowing a greater number of Sikkim-registered taxis to operate across various parts of West Bengal, especially Siliguri. The decision is expected to improve interstate connectivity while providing substantial relief to taxi operators and drivers from Sikkim.

The Sikkim Sarathi Welfare Board welcomed the announcement, describing it as a long-awaited and significant step for the state's transport community.

Board Chairman Sonam Ongdup Bhutia said the earlier quota of 3,000 permits had become inadequate, particularly during the peak tourist season when large numbers of Sikkim-registered vehicles travelled to Siliguri for passenger pick-up and drop-off services. As a result, many drivers were forced to operate without valid countersignature permits and frequently faced heavy penalties imposed by the West Bengal Police.

He noted that doubling the permit quota would substantially ease these challenges and directly benefit operators of Z-series luxury tourist vehicles, J-series taxi vehicles and T-series local taxis. Bhutia added that the increased allocation fulfils a long-standing demand of the transport sector and acknowledged the joint efforts of both state governments in resolving the issue.

The meeting also focused on the growing concern over the rising riverbed of the Teesta River following the devastating Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) of 2023, which caused extensive damage to National Highway-10 and severely affected connectivity between Sikkim and the rest of the country.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, both Chief Ministers agreed to undertake scientific sediment management through the joint dredging of the Teesta River. The initiative is expected to improve river management while supporting the restoration and protection of vital transport infrastructure linking Sikkim with neighbouring regions.

Following the meeting, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang expressed his gratitude to the West Bengal Chief Minister for the cordial discussions and the prompt decisions taken on several important matters. He stated that the approval of the Suswastha Bhawan project within 24 hours of their meeting reflected a strong commitment to cooperation between the two state governments.

He also remarked that the decisions reached during the meeting would further strengthen the longstanding relationship between Sikkim and West Bengal while improving healthcare access, transport services, infrastructure connectivity and public welfare for the people of both states.

The meeting underscored the shared commitment of the two governments to work together in addressing common challenges and promoting regional development through cooperative governance.