The wildlife panel of Sikkim has given in-principle approval to the multi-modal corridor and integrated check post (ICP) at Chewanhanjyang, situated along the Sikkim–Nepal Border to facilitate cross-border trade, tourism and regional economic integration between India and Nepal.
The Sikkim government has already established an 18-km road link to Chewabhanjyang from Uttarey, one of the towns in the state.
Now, the proposal will be sent to the Union Environment Ministry as it involves diversion of forest land. If approved by the Centre, Sikkim would become one of the few Indian States to have two international land border trade routes – Nathu La and Chewabhanjyang.
Sikkim has been actively pressing for opening the Indo-Nepal border Chewabhanjyang in West Sikkim as a second border trade route, complementing the Nathu La border trade with China in East Sikkim.
According to the minutes of the meeting of the wildlife panel of Sikkim, the corridor has significant potential to strengthen bilateral relations and stimulate market linkages.
The corridor will be developed by the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) and will integrate cargo handling, warehousing, banking, healthcare, parking and other essential services under one roof. The project carries cultural significance by promoting people-to-people exchanges and cross-border cooperation.
“Improved pilgrimage and tourism connectivity, with a notable reduction in travel distance. A joint feasibility survey was conducted by central and state agencies and approximately 12 hectares of land has been identified for the project. Supporting infrastructure, including road connectivity, is being upgraded in parallel,” the wildlife panel said in the meeting.
However, it was decided that the proposal requires substantial revision before further consideration. Specifically, the committee directed that priority must be given to utilizing existing diverted land held by the State Police and Sahastra Seema Bal, as well as other open areas, to minimise fresh forest diversion, particularly in ecologically sensitive zones.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay in March said that Nepal’s capital Kathmandu could be reached in approximately seven hours through the Chewabhanjyang route, highlighting its potential to transform regional connectivity.