Sikkim: Supercars may reach Chola, Doklam before permits for tourists

Gangtok: Sikkim is gearing up to host a high-profile supercar rally from December 11 to 15, 2025, even as the official opening of the battlefield tourism routes to Chola and Doklam remains pending. The irony has not gone unnoticed by locals — permits for tourists are still unavailable, but roads are being prepared to welcome Lamborghinis and Porsches.

The car rally event is supported by the Black Cat Division under the Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army and the Government of Sikkim, and organised by a Mumbai-based Supercar Route group comprising businessmen, investors and entrepreneurs who regularly undertake high-end road expeditions across India. The self-funded rally aims to promote Sikkim as a premier driving destination, with vehicles set to travel from Sukna in West Bengal through Siliguri, Gangtok, Cho La, Nathu La and across the Gnathang–Zuluk stretch, including the very roads locals say are still inaccessible for regular tourist movement.

Cho La, a pass of historical importance where the Indian Army defended the border against China in 1967, is one of the main sites proposed under the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative — a joint effort of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Tourism to promote patriotic tourism at former battlefields. Doklam too falls under this initiative, yet both locations are still not open to the public.

Tourism officials confirmed that an inauguration was initially planned on World Tourism Day, September 27, but the Indian Army preferred October 1 to coincide with Chola Diwas, observed annually by the Army in memory of the 1967 clash. However, the October 1 date fell in the middle of Dasain, Sikkim’s biggest festival. As a result, the inauguration was never carried out, and both Chola and Doklam remain inaccessible to tourists. Officials have dismissed any geopolitical tensions with China and cited scheduling issues as the reason for delay.

During the International Tourism Mart on November 14 in Gangtok, Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism) CS Rao stated that Chola and Doklam are expected to open before December 15. He added that Lachen in North Sikkim will most likely be open for tourists by the first week of January 2026, once work is completed by the end of December. Infrastructure development is largely complete at Chola, which lies around 23 kilometres from Changu Lake, with gravel-laid road connectivity suitable for 2×2 vehicles, ATVs and RTVs. Parking areas, plinth spaces, walkways and toilets have been constructed, along with the Chola Prerna Sthal to attract visitors. Proposals for an ‘I Love Chola’ structure, a Celebration Point and a Guru Rinpoche statue by the State Ecclesiastical Department are also in discussion.

At Doklam, given its proximity to the 2017 India–China standoff, development has been minimal, with bunkers, trenches and vantage viewpoints preserved to show the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan.

A tourism official said that around ₹64 lakh has been spent on infrastructure across both regions and clarified that the funding did not come under the Vibrant Village Programme, although future works may be aligned with the flagship scheme.

Local residents say that while development has taken place, nothing has yet translated into livelihood opportunities.

A yak herder from Gnathang, Gnawang Phuntsok, explained that people have bought mostly second-hand vehicles in anticipation that the route will open, allowing them to transport tourists and offer services. He said everyone is waiting, hoping that when Doklam opens, locals can start small shops or travel services, and many consider this their dream. However, he believes the road might not yet be fit for regular use, which could be one reason for the delay.

In Kupup, restaurant owner Pema Sherpa said that opening the route would create significant business prospects and that people are ready to start homestays and shops, provided tourists are allowed to spend even a single night in the area.

She recalled that around early October, many visitors inquired about permits for Chola and Doklam, but no official permissions were available. According to her, tourists still come to Kupup, Dzuluk and Gnathang, but opening the two routes would offer a much bigger opportunity for the entire belt.

Dzuluk homestay owner Gopal Pradhan said that the names — Dhokla, Doklam and Chola — are being widely discussed now and might turn into a battleground of opportunity if tourism becomes vibrant. He believes the potential stretches from Rongli and Reshi all the way to Siliguri and says locals are eager for the initiative to start.

He added that earlier they were informed that the route would open from October 1, but nothing has happened so far, and he has appealed to the government to start it quickly. He also stated that if the area is to become a Vibrant Village, essential requirements must be addressed first — mainly internal road connectivity, stable electricity and proper mobile network. He hoped it would eventually become an eco-friendly settlement. He said that tourists have already begun asking about documentation, permits and access, but until now, nothing has been officially allowed.

Munnu Rai, another resident of Dzuluk, said that while there was talk of an opening earlier, it was likely only done for officials and not for public access. She said that information spreads quickly through the media and people are eager to know when Chola or Doklam will open and how many visitors currently come.

He questioned the benefit of passes being issued only from Gangtok when facilities and access from Rongli would be easier for locals. She also heard that passes for Doklam may eventually be issued through Gangtok, but believes Rongli would be a more suitable entry point.

Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba said that both the Central and State governments are serious about opening these areas to allow people to witness their historical importance, especially since the Indian Army had successfully defended the borders during the 1967 conflict. He said that tourism in these areas would spread awareness of Sikkim’s border history while providing income to local communities, and he intends to raise the matter in Parliament.

He also emphasised the longstanding demand for the reopening of border trade with China through Nathu La and stated that both governments have shown positive indications. The MP said border trade and opening of tourist routes at Chola and Doklam will continue to be top priorities for Sikkim in upcoming parliamentary sessions.

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