Sikkim: Rammam check-post to open for foreign nationals

Gangtok: Rammam Checkpost in Budang, West Sikkim will be open to foreign nationals starting March 1, the Sikkim government has said.

A notification regarding the same was released by the State Home Department on Wednesday. The move has been welcomed by many owing to tourism endeavors in rural, religious, and adventure sectors for South and West Sikkim.

The check-post, close to Jorethang town in South Sikkim, connects with Darjeeling Hills through the Rammam check-post. The region and shorter route through Singla tea plantations aid tourists to visit West and South Sikkim with relative ease. The current route crosses through Melli, the connecting border town to South and West Sikkim.

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At present, Restricted Area Permit and Protected Area Permit are being issued to foreign nationals only from Melli and Rangpo check-post for entry.

Speaking with EastMojo, State Chief Secretary SC Gupta said tourism was the only reason for opening the Rammam check-post to foreign nationals.

“There was a lot of demand for the entry of foreign nationals through the check-post. It is a direct connection with Darjeeling and a shorter route. So this will give a boost to tourism in South and West Sikkim,” Gupta said.

Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) chairman Lukendra Rasaily said this was a long-standing demand of tourism stakeholders of the State.