Friday, Sep 26, 2025 18:15 [IST]
Last Update: Friday, Sep 26, 2025 01:07 [IST]
GANGTOK, : The border areas of Doka La (Doklam) and
Cho La in East Sikkim are officially opening for domestic tourists from October
1 under the Ranbhoomi Tourism Destination (Battlefield Tourism) initiative of
the Government of India. Only Indian nationals with valid voter IDs will be
allowed to visit these high-altitude destinations, informs a notification from
the Home department.
Preparations
are currently underway, with the Tourism and Civil Aviation department of
Sikkim, in coordination with the Indian Army, inspecting the sites to ensure
readiness.
According
to Tourism officials, permits will be issued exclusively through registered
tour operators and travel agents. Tourists must produce a one-night homestay
booking confirmation from designated areas along the Silk Route.
The
permit fee has been fixed at Rs 1120 per person, including wildlife sanctuary
entry and Tsomgo Pokhari Sangrakshan Samiti (TPSS) fee, which shall be
collected by the Tourism department and shared with concerned agencies. Permits
issued by the Home department for official purposes shall be exempted from
permit fee.
A
joint inspection was carried out on Thursday by Tourism secretary Neeraj
Pradhan, Indian Army officials, and representatives of the Travel Agents Association
of Sikkim (TAAS) along with other tourism stakeholders. The team assessed
existing infrastructure and discussed the facilities that may be developed in
the future to support tourism in these sensitive border regions.
Speaking
during the inspection, Tourism secretary Neeraj Pradhan said Doka La and Cho La
would add new dimensions to Sikkim’s tourism sector by providing visitors with
access to high-altitude landscapes that were previously inaccessible. He
emphasized that disciplined and regulated tourism will not only enhance the
local economy but also offer visitors a deeper understanding of the historical
and strategic significance of the region.
Both
destinations will allow a maximum of 25 tourist vehicles and 25 bikers per day.
In view of the challenging terrain, only vehicles above 1400 cc engine
capacity, operated by registered tour operators, will be allowed. Private
vehicles are not permitted. Prescribed fares areRs
12,000
for two days (Z-category vehicles) and Rs
11,000
for two days (J-category vehicles), it was informed.
For
security measures, tourists will be escorted by police and monitored by Army,
Sikkim Police and Tourism department officials. The 17 Mtn. Div Army, Sikkim
Police and officials of Tourism department shall check the vehicles plying to Doka
La at Kupup Check post and for vehicles plying to ChoLa at ChoLa diversion. A
police escort shall also accompany the tourists from Kupup diversion to Doka-La
and from ChoLa diversion to ChoLa.
To
avoid congestion and due to unpredictable weather conditions in the
destinations, the tourists are advised to start their visit early - from Tsomgo
to Cho-La at 10:00 am and 11:00 am and from Kupup to Doka La at 9:00 am and
10:00 am the following day. This is to ensure parking facilities are available
and for monitoring and coordination by check posts.
To
promote responsible tourism, travel operators will be responsible for ensuring
that tourists do not litter or damage the area. All tourist vehicles must carry
garbage bags, which should be disposed of at collection sites in Tsomgo and
Kupup.
The
check posts and the Tourism department will submit monthly reports on tourist
inflow and vehicle movement to the Home department for monitoring and security.
Local
tourism stakeholders have also welcomed the move.
Gopal
Pradhan, a local stakeholder, said the opening of Doka La and Cho La will help
strengthen the local economy by promoting tourism-related businesses. “Nearby
areas such as Kupup are expected to see a rise in visitors, with homestays and
local enterprises likely to flourish,” he said.
Cho
La and Doka La (Doklam) hold significant historical and geopolitical value. The
Cho La skirmish of October 1, 1967, was one of the decisive confrontations of
the 1967 Sino-Indian conflict, while Doklam became globally known during the
2017 standoff between Indian and Chinese forces. With Nathu La already a
popular tourist destination, the inclusion of Doka La and Cho La further
strengthens Sikkim’s role in promoting Battlefield Tourism in India.
