“Sikkim Is A Model of Balanced Development”: Scindia
Union Minister joins 51st Statehood Day celebrations, launches projects worth ₹223 crore
GG News Bureau
Gangtok, 16th May: Jyotiraditya Scindia on Saturday described Sikkim as “a model of balanced development where progress walks hand in hand with nature, culture and identity” during the state’s 51st Statehood Day celebrations in Gangtok.
Scindia joined C. P. Radhakrishnan, Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang during the celebrations and participated in the inauguration and foundation laying of 21 projects worth ₹223 crore supported by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
Addressing the gathering in Nepali, the Union Minister said Sikkim had emerged as a leading example of sustainable growth, organic agriculture, tourism-led development and ecological stewardship under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Among the key projects inaugurated were strategic road and bridge connectivity works under the NESIDS-Roads initiative, including infrastructure linking NH-10 to IBP Road and connectivity projects across Rongrong River and Rangpo Khola.
The Vice-President also laid the foundation stone for the geometric improvement and carpeting of the 15.8-km Rimbi Khola–Yuksam road in Gyalshing district at a cost of ₹24.52 crore aimed at strengthening tourism and regional connectivity.
A major highlight of the programme was the launch of “Mission Sikkim Organics as Sikkim USP”, a convergence-based initiative with a projected outlay of ₹360 crore to transform Sikkim into a globally integrated premium organic economy.
The initiative, anchored by the Ministry of DoNER in partnership with multiple agencies including APEDA, NABARD and cooperatives, is expected to benefit more than 66,000 farmer families across the state.
Officials said the mission would strengthen certification systems, processing, branding, export integration and value chains for organic produce such as large cardamom and ginger.
Additional projects launched during the programme included water supply augmentation works, educational infrastructure, heliport modernisation, bamboo industrial development and tourism infrastructure support facilities.
Scindia said the Centre, in coordination with the Sikkim government and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, was also working towards an alternative alignment to NH-10 to ensure reliable all-weather connectivity for the state.
The minister said Sikkim today has one of the highest per capita incomes in the country and has become a benchmark for sustainable and organic development.
