New Infrastructure Era For Sikkim: Chief Minister And JICA Discuss Major Upgrades

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang held a meeting with a delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Thursday (5 September) to review key infrastructure projects in the state.

The delegation, led by Sunouchi Tatsuhiko, Senior Director of South Asia Division 1 at JICA’s Tokyo office, provided updates on initiatives being funded by the agency.

During the meeting, the JICA team briefed the Chief Minister on the progress of the preliminary project report (PPR) submitted by the state’s roads and bridges department to the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Government of India, for final approval.

The report outlines the plan to upgrade four roads and a bridge, with financial backing from JICA under its infrastructure development program.

Discussions centred on the potential impact of these infrastructure projects, with both sides highlighting the importance of JICA’s expertise to ensure smooth and efficient implementation, as per The Print's report.

According to a statement from Sikkim’s Information & Public Relations Department, the Chief Minister and JICA officials emphasised that the projects should be environmentally sustainable and designed to benefit the local population.

The meeting reflects Sikkim's ongoing efforts to enhance its infrastructure in collaboration with international agencies, while ensuring that development aligns with the state’s environmental goals and the needs of its people.