New Delhi, July 3: The Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri Prem Singh Tamang called on the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri Suvendu Adhikari, at Nabanna-State Secretariat in Kolkata, where the two leaders discussed a range of issues concerning inter-state cooperation, connectivity and public welfare.
At the outset, the Sikkim Chief Minister congratulated Shri Adhikari on assuming office as the Chief Minister of West Bengal and conveyed his best wishes for a successful tenure.
A major outcome of the meeting was the approval for the long-pending proposal to establish Suswastha Bhawan Sikkim at the SNT Complex in Siliguri. The facility is intended to provide accommodation and support to patients and their attendants from Sikkim seeking medical treatment in the region. The West Bengal Chief Minister acknowledged the importance of the project, accorded his approval and directed the concerned department to issue the necessary permission.
The two Chief Ministers also discussed the reciprocal transport agreement between Sikkim and West Bengal, with particular emphasis on increasing the quota of countersignature permits for Sikkim-registered taxis operating in West Bengal. In a significant decision, the West Bengal Government approved an increase in the permit quota from 3,000 to 6,000, a move expected to benefit Sikkim’s taxi operators and improve transportation and connectivity, especially between Sikkim and Siliguri.
Another key issue deliberated upon was the impact of the 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood , which resulted in the accumulation of sediment along the Teesta riverbed and caused extensive damage to National Highway-10, affecting the state’s connectivity. Both governments agreed to jointly undertake scientific sediment management through dredging of the Teesta River to help address the issue.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation on matters of mutual interest and regional development.