Gangtok: The Cho La and Dok La mountain passes, locations holding strategic importance on the India-China border, were opened to public visitation on Monday as part of a Central government initiative promoting battlefield tourism.
Dok La, also called Doklam, is a plateau 68 kilometres east of Gangtok at 13,780 feet. Located at the meeting point of Bhutan, China, and India, the area drew international attention in June 2017 when China attempted road construction in territory claimed by Bhutan.
Cho La, at 17,780 feet, was the site of skirmishes between India and China in 1967. The pass can be reached in all-wheel-drive vehicles from Tamzey. The road to Tamzey splits about one kilometre above Tsomgo Lake, which is around sixteen kilometres short of Nathu La.
The formal inauguration was conducted by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang at Ridge Park in Gangtok. The event commenced with the flag-off of twenty-five motorbikes and other tourist vehicles travelling to the sensitive frontier areas.
The move is part of the ‘Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan’ program, a Central government endeavor involving the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Tourism, which seeks to promote travel, build infrastructure, improve livelihoods in border communities, and create public awareness of the sacrifices and valor of the armed forces.
Mr. Tamang stated that making the passes available to tourists is intended to expand travel in the state’s border districts and secure new income opportunities for local populations.
He also noted that the national program is intended to inform citizens about the historical weight of the sites and instill a sense of national commitment. The regional strategy of the State Government includes prioritizing the growth of the most remote villages, a goal concurrent with the national Vibrant Villages Programme.
The Additional Chief Secretary of the Tourism Department, CS Rao, said that state authorities spent two months coordinating with the Indian Army and the Central government to establish safe movement for visitors.
He specified that while permanent infrastructure construction is ongoing, necessary foundational services have been deployed. Tourists may plan a two-day itinerary for the visits, with accommodations in homestays available at a minimal cost and vehicle rates set at standardized charges.
The state administration conveyed gratitude for the assistance provided by the Indian Army and the Central government in implementing the new travel routes.
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