Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim, Dr. Indra Hang Subba, recently met Shri Jayant Singh, Chairman of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), in New Delhi to follow up on the proposal for establishing an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Chiwabhanjyang along the India–Nepal border. The proposal is part of the broader vision of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) government led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang to improve border connectivity and create new opportunities for economic growth in the state’s border regions. During the meeting, Dr. Subba discussed the importance of developing modern border infrastructure at Chiwabhanjyang Pass and explained how the proposed Integrated Check Post could play a key role in strengthening trade, tourism, and regulated cross-border movement between India and Nepal. He stressed that the pass has both strategic and economic value, and developing proper facilities there would help open new channels of growth, especially for remote areas of Sikkim that depend heavily on connectivity for their development.
Dr. Subba informed the Chairman that the Sikkim government has already shown keen interest in the project and views the establishment of the ICP as a long-term investment that can transform the economic prospects of the border region. According to him, the development of Chiwabhanjyang Pass into a modern check post would make movement of goods and people more organized, improve monitoring systems, and help promote legal trade while ensuring security and regulation. He also pointed out that the proposal is not only about infrastructure development but also about building stronger relations between India and Nepal. The MP explained that improved facilities at the border would encourage tourism and cultural exchanges, allowing people from both sides to interact more easily and safely. Such initiatives, he said, can strengthen people-to-people connections, which are an important part of India’s relationship with neighbouring countries. Officials present during the meeting were briefed about the ground realities of the region, including the current limitations in infrastructure and the challenges faced by local residents due to restricted connectivity. Dr. Subba emphasized that improved border infrastructure would directly benefit local communities by creating employment opportunities, supporting small businesses, and encouraging tourism-related activities such as transport, hospitality, and local trade.
He further stated that border districts often remain economically backward because of limited access to markets and services. Establishing an Integrated Check Post at Chiwabhanjyang, he noted, would help address these issues by bringing organized facilities, improved road connectivity, and better administrative coordination. The project, he said, would also contribute to balanced regional development, ensuring that remote border areas receive the same attention as urban centres. The Chairman of the Land Ports Authority of India was informed about the expected long-term benefits of the project and the need for close coordination between the Central Government and the State Government to move the proposal forward in a timely manner. Discussions also focused on the importance of conducting necessary studies, planning infrastructure requirements, and ensuring that the project is implemented in a systematic and phased manner. Dr. Subba reiterated that the establishment of the Integrated Check Post at Chiwabhanjyang is a forward-looking step that aligns with the broader national objective of strengthening border infrastructure across the country. He said that such projects not only improve trade and connectivity but also enhance administrative efficiency and security management at border entry points.
The MP also assured that he will continue to follow up the matter with all concerned authorities at the central level so that the proposal receives due attention and progresses without unnecessary delay. He emphasized that the project holds great importance for Sikkim and has the potential to bring long-term economic and social benefits to the people of the state.