Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Gangtok this afternoon, marking the beginning of a significant two-day visit to Sikkim. The visit, scheduled for April 27 and 28, is centered around celebrating the state’s 50th year of statehood and unveiling a massive development package valued at over Rs 4,000 crore. This strategic push underscores the Centre’s continued commitment to accelerating infrastructure, healthcare, education, and tourism growth across the Himalayan region.
Following a roadshow and interactions with local stakeholders upon his arrival, the Prime Minister’s primary engagements are set for tomorrow, April 28. He will begin the day by visiting the Swarnajayanti Maitri Manjari Park, also known as the Orchidarium in Gangtok. This world-class facility has been developed to showcase Sikkim’s unique ecological and floral heritage, positioning the state as a premier destination for eco-tourism.
Later in the morning, the Prime Minister will participate in the closing ceremony of the state’s Golden Jubilee celebrations at Paljor Stadium. During this event, he will inaugurate, launch, and lay the foundation stones for multiple high-impact projects spanning diverse sectors.
Healthcare remains a top priority in this development roadmap. PM Modi is set to lay the foundation stone for a 100-bed Ayurveda hospital in Yangang and inaugurate a 30-bed integrated Sowa Rigpa hospital at NIT Deorali. These initiatives are designed to significantly expand access to traditional and integrative medicine systems for residents, particularly in remote areas.
In the education sector, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the permanent campus of Sikkim University at Yangang. Other key academic infrastructure projects to be launched include new facilities for the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University of Excellence, the Helen Lepcha Medical College, and the Dentam Professional College, which are expected to bolster professional training and higher education opportunities within the state.
Connectivity, essential for the state’s strategic and economic mobility, is also receiving major attention. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for two double-lane steel arch bridges over the Teesta River, which will significantly improve inter-district accessibility. Furthermore, the visit will highlight substantial investments in tourism and pilgrimage infrastructure, including the redevelopment of Gangtok’s Ridge precinct and the creation of new facilities along the Kailash Mansarovar route near the Nathula Pass.
As Sikkim reflects on five decades of statehood, this visit is being viewed as a transformative step toward a more prosperous, connected, and sustainable future. By integrating administrative upgrades, power sector enhancements, and grassroots development projects, the Centre aims to ensure that Sikkim continues its trajectory as a leading model for growth in the Northeast.
