The Reopening of Trade Route through Nathula Pass
The
long pending demand of the State Government under the leadership of the Chief
Minister, Mr. Pawan Chamling to reopen the trade route between China and India
through Nathula Pass is finally being fulfilled. The route that bears the
history of the State which will now become boon for its economy was opened
sometime in the year 1874 and was active till as late as 1961. It was only when
the relation between the two countries reached its lowest point that the route
was closed. However in the month of June 2003, when the Prime Minister of
India, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was on his visit to China that the decision was
taken at the International level to reopen the old trade route. Since then the
Chief Minister has not left any stone unturned to make this a reality. The cross
border trade has opened a floodgate of opportunities and the Chief Minister on
various occasions has stressed on the need to maximize the benefit and minimize
the fallouts. A committee has already been set up by the State Government to
prepare a Master Plan for creating necessary infrastructure for the trade route
to be operational. He has personally toured Nathula and Siliguri along with his
cabinet colleagues to check the sites for infrastructure development. An
alternate National Highway is on the offing too. A bypass joining Ranipool to
Sichey busty of 34 kms and another road between Melli and Mamring of nearly 19
kms will also be built in anticipation of growing traffic movement in the state
On 1st August 2003, he toured Nathula and identified two places at Serethang to set up necessary infrastructure. While speaking to the Press on the viability of Trade Route, the Chief Minister said that the route will not only benefit India but the neighboring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh etc as well. He said that the State will greatly benefit from the growth in communication, banking, insurance and related activities which will in turn throw open opportunities in job leading to increase in purchasing power and so on. He believed that tourism, exchange of culture, pilgrimage tourism would also bring in better relation between the two countries.
On 3rd August 2003, the Chief Minister visited Siliguri and took stock of all the Government properties there. On the way he stopped at the various spots where he inspected potential sites for infrastructure development. While in Siliguri he also addressed the press wherein he said that the trade route would not only benefit Sikkim but also its positive impact will be felt by the neighboring states and towns. Siliguri will be the hobnob of trade activity, he said. India has been facing adverse trade with China however; the Chief Minister was of the opinion that the reopening of trade route will be able to balance the country’s trade with China.
In continuation to the above, the Chief Minister had a meeting with the Business community and Tour Operators of the State on 10th august 2003. Recognizing the active role that they will be playing after the reopening of trade route, the Chief Minister had this interactive session with them. He said that he desires for more comprehensive outcome from the trade route which will not only promote trade but will also incorporate other facilities like tourism etc. The people should not carry the general perception that Sikkim will be dumping ground for cheap Chinese goods, instead the people should vie to make better product at a cheaper price, he added. He invited suggestions from them and asked them to be proactive in the matter. Not ruling out the possibilities of fallouts in the opening of the trade route, the Chief Minister, time and again have assured that every precaution will be taken to check the fallouts.