Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament House on Monday, discussing critical issues including post-flood reconstruction and strategic infrastructure development. Golay presented a Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) report seeking Rs. 3,673.25 crore for recovery efforts following the 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) and Monsoon 2024 impacts. He highlighted the urgent need for sustained central support, acknowledging the PM's swift response to the GLOF crisis.

In his meeting, CM Golay underscored the importance of National Highway 10 (NH-10), Sikkim's vital lifeline severely affected by recent natural disasters. He advocated for a permanent solution to prevent frequent disruptions and proposed transferring maintenance responsibilities to a central agency like NHAI/NHIDCL. Additionally, Golay urged immediate action to restore NH-310A, crucial for connecting Gangtok to the Indo-China border, following recent cloudbursts in North Sikkim.

Addressing connectivity challenges, Golay proposed the development of a Himalayan Railway Line linking Bakrakote in West Bengal to Rorathang in Sikkim, drawing from historical proposals dating back to 1917. He also presented Sikkim's initiative to establish a multimodal corridor with an integrated checkpost at Chewa Bhanjyang, enhancing regional connectivity with eastern Nepal.

During the meeting, Golay raised longstanding demands, including tribal status for 12 indigenous communities, the reservation of Limboo-Tamang seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, and the upcoming visit of 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorji to Sikkim. He extended an invitation to PM Modi to attend Sikkim's 50th Statehood Day celebrations on May 16, 2025, which the PM graciously accepted.

Golay also commended PM Modi's environmental conservation initiative, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,' encouraging planting saplings in honour of mothers. Sikkim plans to observe this initiative on July 7, 2024, underlining its commitment to environmental stewardship. The CM congratulated PM Modi on his electoral victories and expressed confidence in his leadership.

Accompanying CM Golay were MPs Indra Hang Subba from Lok Sabha and Dorjee Tshering Lepcha from Rajya Sabha, demonstrating bipartisan support for Sikkim's developmental priorities.

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