Sikkim to become more accessible to foreign tourists as Ramman checkpost reopens

Sikkim may soon become more accessible to foreign tourists, as the Himalayan state is planning to reopen its Ramman checkpost after almost a decade. Foreign tourists can get inner-line permits at the checkpost to enter the state.

Foreign tourists have had to travel longer distances to get inner-line permits as such permits were issued only at two checkpoints, Melli and Rangpo. While inner-line permits are mandatory for foreign tourists to enter the state, such permits are not required for Indians.

A notification issued by SC Gupta, the state’s chief secretary, said that in view to boost rural, religious and adventure tourism in the state, the government has decided to open the Ramman checkpost for entry of tourists to Sikkim from March 1.

“The state tourism department has indicated that a large number of foreign tourists has been requesting entry through Ramman checkpost at Budang in West Sikkim,” the notification issued on Wednesday said.

Around 150,000 foreign tourists visit Sikkim every year, officials said. The checkpost was closed almost a decade back after it was found that a few foreign tourists had entered the state without a permit.

Ramman checkpost is located along the West Sikkim - Darjeeling border near Jorethang town and is about 90 minutes’ drive downhill from Darjeeling town in north Bengal via Tukvar and Singla.

This means foreign tourists coming to Darjeeling would take less time and money to reach Sikkim.

The decision has been welcomed by tourism stakeholders both in Sikkim and West Bengal.

Sandipan Ghosh, secretary of Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators Association, said: “The decision will go a long way to boost the tourism industry in the region. Now, more foreign tourists visiting neighbouring Darjeeling would find it easy to visit South and West Sikkim.”

While West Sikkim is a popular destination for adventure sports and has some high-altitude trekking destinations such as Dzongri and Goechala, South Sikkim has major pilgrimage tourism attractions like Buddha Park in Rabongla and Char Dham at Namchi.