Sikkim

Sikkim tunnel collapse: Rescue teams retrieve bodies of all 25 workers

The bodies of 22 workers have been retrieved from the NHPC hydropower project tunnel under construction in Sikkim's Namchi district, officials said on Thursday. Twenty-five workers were inside the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydropower Project tunnel, which collapsed following an explosion suspected to have been caused by methane gas shortly after 1 pm on Monday. Rescue operations remain in progress, with specialised teams working in close coordination to locate and recover the remaining labourers, a state government official said. "The Sikkim government, district administration, and all concerned agencies continue to closely monitor the situation, while extending every possible support to the rescue teams and the affected families," he said. "Out of the 25 trapped inside the tunnel, 20 are confirmed dead," Namchi SP Sonam D Bhutia had said on Tuesday. Eight bodies have been identified till Wednesday. Of them, four are from Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal while one

Sikkim tunnel collapse: Death toll rises to 20, rescue operations continue

According to an NHPC statement, a sudden burst of suspected methane gas trapped/embedded inside the rocks led to the explosion, generating dense fumes and toxic gases

Sikkim tunnel collapse: 10 dead, several feared trapped as rescue continues

The number of victims could go up as search and rescue operations were underway, a Namchi district official said

India’s per capita income explained: Why Sikkim earns 10 times more than Bihar

Sikkim continues to lead India in per capita income, while Bihar remains the poorest state. The gap between the two is now nearly tenfold. So, why has this divide persisted for over a decade?

India’s richest and poorest states: Why Sikkim earns 10 times more than Bihar

Sikkim continues to lead India in per capita income, while Bihar remains the poorest state. The gap between the two is now nearly tenfold. So, why has this divide persisted for over a decade?

India's declining fertility rates: Bihar, Meghalaya remain at the top

Almost every state and union territory shows a net decline in TFR over the last decade

Sikkim tops per capita income rankings, Bihar remains poorest state

The top four - Sikkim, Goa, Delhi and Chandigarh - and the bottom four - Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Manipur - have consistently held their positions for the past 10 years

Prez Murmu, PM Modi extend greetings to people of Sikkim on Statehood Day

Sikkim became the 22nd state of India in 1975

'Mujhe hara doge?' Watch PM Modi play football with youngsters in Sikkim

'Mujhe hara doge?' Watch PM Modi play football with youngsters in Sikkim.

Govt committed to 'Act East, Act Fast' for northeastern states: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said his government was not only committed to its 'Act East' policy but was resolved to 'Act Fast' for the eight northeastern states, which he described as India's 'Ashtalakshmi' -- representing the multifaceted nature of prosperity, wealth, and auspiciousness. Asserting that tourism was the mainstay of Sikkim's economy, Modi said his government's focus is on boosting the state's connectivity, which would increase tourist inflow. "The government is committed to augmenting Sikkim's infrastructure, including building an expressway from West Bengal's Bagdogra, and a ring road in Gangtok to increase tourist inflow," Modi said during his 35-minute speech at a grand function at Paljor Stadium here to mark the conclusion of the year-long celebrations of 50 years of Sikkim's statehood. He also said that ropeway and skyways projects are on the anvil for the state, while an expressway would be built in Nathula to ensure more tourist inflow. "The ...

PM Modi unveils development projects worth ₹4,000 crore in Sikkim

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched development projects worth over Rs 4,000 crore in Sikkim while attending the closing ceremony of the state's 50 years of statehood celebrations. The projects span a wide range of sectors such as infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, education, power, urban development, environment, tourism and agriculture, the officials said. These projects are aimed at accelerating holistic and inclusive development in Sikkim. The PM's visit marks an important milestone in the golden jubilee year of Sikkim's statehood and reflects the government's "continued commitment to the rapid and sustainable development of the Himalayan state", the officials said.

North Sikkim landslides: Army rescues 135 tourists, many still stranded

A total of 135 stranded tourists have been rescued by the Army from North Sikkim, where multiple landslides have snapped road connectivity, officials said on Thursday. Around 1,000 tourists remain stranded in Lachen, with sustained efforts underway to ensure their rescue at the earliest, they said. The rescue operation is being carried out by the Trishakti Corps under the Eastern Command amid heavy snowfall, they added. Critical passes have been opened and alternate routes activated to facilitate the rescue mission, named 'Operation Him Setu', officials said. A total of 32 light vehicles and 10 motorcycles have been moved out so far, with Army vehicles deployed to tow civilian vehicles across steep, snowbound stretches, they said. Medical emergencies and those requiring immediate assistance are being prioritised, officials said. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is working in close coordination with the Army, undertaking continuous road clearance, snow removal and restoration o

Sikkim govt raises DA, DR by 5% for employees, pensioners from July 1

The Sikkim government has announced a 5 per cent hike in the dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) for its employees and pensioners, respectively, an official notification said. The hikes will come into retrospective effect from July 1, 2025. As per the revised rate, the DA for employees and DR for pensioners drawing pay under pre-revised structure have been raised from 252 per cent to 257 per cent, the financial department circular issued on Wednesday said. For employees and pensioners under the revised pay structure, the DA and DR rates will go up from 55 per cent to 58 per cent, the circular added. The DA at these rates will also be admissible to the employees appointed on a contract basis.

Sikkim's Pakyong Airport to renamed after freedom fighter Trilochan Pokhrel

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday announced that the Pakyong Airport, the lone such facility in the Himalayan state, will be renamed after freedom fighter Trilochan Pokhrel. Trilochan Pokhrel, popularly known as "Gandhi Pokhrel" and considered the first independence activist from Sikkim, was actively involved in the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement, spearheaded by Mahatma Gandhi. Tamang made the announcement while addressing the 31st Foundation Day celebration of the 'Akhil Sikkim Khas Chettri Bahun Kalyan Sangh', a tribal organisation at Rangpo ground close to the West Bengal border. "The Pakyong Airport will be renamed Trilochan Pokhrel Airport in honour of the freedom activist who belonged to the Khas, Chettri, Bahun community," the chief minister said. Pakyong Airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 24, 2018. On the 31st Foundation Day of the organisation, Tamang said this miles

2 earthquakes rattle Sikkim, no causalities or damage reported so far

Two earthquakes of magnitude 4.6 and 3.5 jolted Sikkim on Thursday, officials said. The first quake, of 4.6 magnitude, hit the state at 11:24 am. The epicentre of the quake was 4 km northeast of Yuksom in Gyalshing district at a depth of 10 km, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The second earthquake of 3.5 magnitude jolted Mangan district at 12:17 pm. The epicentre was 11 km northwest of Gangtok, also at a depth of 10 km. Officials said that there was no immediate report of any loss of life or damage to property in the two quakes.

Over 2,700 tourists rescued after heavy snowfall near Sikkim's Tsomgo Lake

Over 2,700 tourists stranded due to heavy snowfall near Tsomgo Lake in East Sikkim were rescued, officials said on Wednesday morning. Heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Sherathang and adjoining areas led to road blockages, leaving 541 tourist vehicles stranded between 15th Mile and Tsomgo Lake, they said. Through coordinated efforts, all vehicles with 2,736 tourists onboard were evacuated safely and systematically, with the operation concluding on Tuesday night, they added. The Tourism Department advised tourists and tour operators to strictly follow weather advisories and ensure that vehicles are properly equipped, including mandatory snow chains, while travelling during snowfall conditions.

Earthquake of magnitude 4.0 strikes Namchi district in south Sikkim

The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 5 km beneath the Earth's surface at 3.11 am in the early hours of Friday

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'All tourist accommodation providers in Sikkim must contribute to TSD fund'

The Sikkim government has ordered all tourist accommodation providers in the Himalayan state to contribute to the Tourism Sustainable Development (TSD) fund, an official said. The Tourism and Civil Aviation department of the state government, in an order, directed all tourist accommodation providershotels, resorts, homestays, bed and breakfast establishments, and service apartmentsto contribute Rs 50 per tourist to the TSD fund or face punitive action, the official said. Accommodation providers collect Rs 50 fee from each tourist during check-in and remit it to the government, which monitors the payment through the Atithi Guest Information System. The Sikkim government started collecting money under the Tourism Sustainable Development Fund in March 2025 to support sustainable tourism development, including improving tourism infrastructure and facilities like roads and connectivity. Additional Director, Tourism, Tenzing Gelay Bhutia said that it has come to the notice of the departm

Battlefield spots Doka-La, Cho-La in Sikkim to open for tourists from Oct 1

The Sikkim government has decided to open the battlefield destinations of Doka-La and Cho-La for domestic tourists from October 1, officials said. In a notification earlier this week, Chief Secretary R Telang said Indian tourists carrying voter identity cards would be allowed to visit the two sites under strict guidelines for security and environmental protection. The decision was taken under the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative, the notification said. Doka-La and Cho-La are located near the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction. According to the notification, tourists will be required to obtain permits from the tourism and civil aviation departments through registered tour operators or travel agencies. "Permits shall be issued only upon submission of one-night homestay booking confirmation from designated areas along the Silk Route Kupup, Gnathang, Zuluk or Padamchen," the order stated. Tourists will be required to pay a permit fee of Rs 1,120 per person, which includes wildlife .