Sikkim chief minister P.S. Tamang (Golay) met his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday and proposed helicopter services between Gangtok and Guwahati.

Tamang, who reached the Bagdogra airport from Guwahati on Monday, said he had called on Sarma in Dispur.

“We met on Sunday and during the talks, we explored the possibility of launching a helicopter service between Gangtok and Guwahati. The service will enhance accessibility for people of both the states,” Tamang said in a social media post.

As of now, a chopper service is available between Bagdogra and Gangtok. Pawan Hans operates the hour-long flight. For people travelling from Sikkim to Assam and vice-versa, one has to travel by road via Siliguri or take the chopper from Bagdogra.

After Sikkim’s sole airport was opened in Pakyong, there have been demands for flights to connect northeastern states, including Assam. But no flight has been introduced so far.

Sarma explained to Tamang the advanced healthcare facilities in Assam, especially for cancer treatment.

“The chief minister told me about the healthcare infrastructure in his state and said some hospitals, which specialise in cancer treatment, had come up in Assam. He said patients from Sikkim who needed treatment could visit those healthcare facilities,” said Tamang.

Sikkim, which is nestled on the India-China border, is largely dependent on
Siliguri for healthcare “facilities. Patients from Sikkim visit other parts of the country also for treatment.

“Assam is a better option as the travel time and cost would be less compared to even Calcutta. We feel it is an important development and the governments of both the states should work together to facilitate the treatment of patients from Sikkim in Assam,” said a senior doctor based in Gangtok.