Mon Jun 30 11:42:40 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Sikkim’s Lok Sabha MP, Indra Hang Subba, has appealed to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture for urgent assistance in restoring connectivity to the northern parts of Sikkim and resuming operations at Pakyong airport. He cited the devastating impact of recent natural disasters, particularly the 2023 GLOF and the recent flash flood, which have crippled infrastructure and tourism. His representation included requests for infrastructure restoration, climate-resilient development, a special relief package for tourism stakeholders, resumption and expansion of Pakyong airport operations, and consideration of the region’s strategic importance for national security. The Parliamentary committee is currently on a five-day visit to Sikkim.

**News Article:**

**Sikkim MP Pleads for Urgent Aid to Restore Connectivity After Disasters**

**Gangtok, Sikkim – June 30, 2025** – Sikkim’s lone Lok Sabha MP, Indra Hang Subba, has made a strong appeal for urgent intervention to restore connectivity to the disaster-stricken northern regions of the state and revive flight operations at Pakyong airport. Subba met with Sanjay Kumar Jha, chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture, today, outlining the critical situation facing residents and the tourism industry following a series of devastating natural disasters.

The region has been reeling from the Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) of October 2023 and a subsequent flash flood on June 1, 2025, which have decimated infrastructure, particularly the crucial Toong-Naga stretch, effectively isolating key tourist destinations.

In his representation, Subba urged the committee to prioritize the restoration of damaged roads and bridges, development of climate-resilient infrastructure like elevated roads and tunnels, and the implementation of a special relief package for tourism stakeholders. He emphasized the need for financial assistance including loan moratoriums and emergency credit lines.

Beyond tourism, Subba highlighted the strategic importance of the affected roads, given their proximity to the India-China border, underscoring the need for swift action to bolster national security.

The MP also addressed the operational challenges at Pakyong airport, requesting the immediate resumption of SpiceJet flights to Delhi and other major cities. He further called for the expansion of the runway to accommodate larger aircraft and the procurement of Bombardier Q-400 aircraft by Air India and other carriers to improve regional connectivity.

Subba noted Sikkim’s recent celebration of its golden jubilee of Statehood and emphasized the crucial role connectivity plays in the state’s continued progress. The Parliamentary committee is currently on a five-day visit to Sikkim to assess the situation firsthand.

Read More