Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, undertook a series of engagements across Namchi on the second day of his official visit to Sikkim, reviewing key initiatives in the sectors of education, tourism, tea production and sports development.
During the visit, Minister Scindia interacted with local stakeholders, students, tea workers and young sportspersons, while reiterating the Government of India’s continued focus on strengthening infrastructure, livelihoods and grassroots opportunities across the Northeast.
Union Minister Scindia visited the under-construction Khangchendzonga Sikkim State University at Tarku in Namchi, the first state university being developed in Sikkim. Spread across 28 acres and partially funded by the North Eastern Council under the Ministry of DoNER with an allocation of ₹9.61 crore, the university is expected to accommodate over 1,500 students upon completion.
During the visit, the Minister reviewed the progress of the administrative block and campus infrastructure. Observing the natural landscape and pedestrian pathways around the campus, he suggested incorporating additional greenery and natural elements within the university’s design framework to further align the infrastructure with Sikkim’s ecological character.
He also congratulated the engineering and implementation teams for the pace of ongoing work. Minister Scindia later visited the Temi Tea Estate and Temi Tea Processing Unit in Namchi, where he interacted with tea garden workers and officials associated with the estate.
He reviewed various stages of tea production, processing and packaging, and discussed the estate’s international market outreach and export potential. The Minister was briefed by officials on Temi Tea’s transition towards LPG-based tea manufacturing processes, eliminating the use of charcoal and reducing carbon residue during production.
The Minister was also recommended the tea estate to get GI-certified. He also interacted with women tea pluckers and estate workers during his visit to the plantations and processing facilities, all while speaking fluent Nepalese.
Minister Scindia visited the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco Tourism (IHCAE), Chemchey, where he reviewed the proposed Namchi–Temi–Ravangla tourism circuit, being developed in coordination with the Government of Sikkim and the Ministry of DoNER.
The proposed circuit forms part of the Ministry’s broader regional tourism infrastructure approach. Two similar tourism circuits supported by the Ministry of DoNER are already under implementation in Tripura and Meghalaya. During the review, the Minister took stock of the facilities and activities being developed at IHCAE, including rock climbing, ice climbing, cycling tracks, trekking, skiing, mountaineering and guided eco-tourism activities.
He suggested that additional tourism and recreational activities catering to visitors age groups may further strengthen the region’s tourism ecosystem. Discussions were also held regarding supporting infrastructure and tourist amenities linked to pilgrimage and tourism routes in the region, including the Char Dham corridor.
Later in the day, Minister Scindia attended the semifinal fixture of the 4th edition of the Sikkim Premier League at Bhaichung Stadium, Namchi. The Minister witnessed cultural performances, including the traditional Nepali Maruni dance presented by local youth artists.
Addressing players and attendees, the Minister highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming the Northeast into a major sporting hub of the country. Referring to the High-Level Task Force meetings led by the Ministry of DoNER, he noted the focus being placed on grassroots talent identification, scientific coaching, sports science integration and athlete development across the region.
Minister Scindia also spoke about the “One Sport, One State” developmental approach and the Ministry’s 60:40 framework prioritising coaching, talent scouting and technology alongside sports infrastructure creation. He further noted the growing role of the Sikkim Premier League in creating opportunities for young footballers across the state.
Union Minister Scindia also travelled via the 3.5 km-long Bhaleydhunga Ropeway and reviewed the progress of the Bhaleydhunga Skywalk Project being developed in Namchi under the PM-DevINE scheme of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region at the cost of Rs.220 crore.
During the visit, Shri Scindia took stock of implementation progress and associated infrastructure components linked to the project. Once completed, the 240 m long circular glass Bhaleydhunga Skywalk, proposed at an elevation of 3,200 m, is expected to emerge as the highest skywalk in the world and further strengthen Sikkim’s tourism infrastructure and adventure tourism potential.