Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia on 15 May conducted an extensive review of key development projects across Namchi, Sikkim, on the second day of his official visit, covering education infrastructure, adventure tourism, tea production, and grassroots sports development.

University Infrastructure Under the Lens

Scindia visited the under-construction Khangchendzonga Sikkim State University at Tarku, Namchi — the first state university being developed in Sikkim. Spread across 28 acres and partially funded by the North Eastern Council under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) with an allocation of ₹9.61 crore, the university is expected to accommodate over 1,500 students upon completion. The Minister reviewed progress on the administrative block and campus infrastructure, and suggested incorporating additional greenery and natural elements into the design to better reflect Sikkim's ecological character. He also congratulated the engineering and implementation teams on the pace of work.

Temi Tea Estate: Export Potential in Focus

The Minister later visited the Temi Tea Estate and the Temi Tea Processing Unit in Namchi, where he reviewed various stages of tea production, processing, and packaging. Discussions centred on the estate's international market outreach and export potential. Scindia interacted with women tea pluckers and estate workers — notably conversing in fluent Nepali — underscoring the Centre's emphasis on livelihood support for grassroots workers in the Northeast.

Adventure Tourism Circuit and Eco-Tourism Review

Scindia reviewed the proposed Namchi–Temi–Ravangla tourism circuit at the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco Tourism, Chemchey, being developed in coordination with the Government of Sikkim and the DoNER Ministry. Facilities under development include rock and ice climbing, cycling tracks, trekking, skiing, mountaineering, and guided eco-tourism activities — positioning the corridor as a potential anchor for high-altitude adventure travel in the region.

World's Highest Skywalk: ₹220 Crore Project Reviewed

The Minister travelled via the 3.5-km-long Bhaleydhunga Ropeway and reviewed the Bhaleydhunga Skywalk Project in Namchi, being developed under the Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) scheme at a cost of ₹220 crore. Once completed, the 240-metre-long circular glass skywalk, proposed at an elevation of 3,200 metres, is expected to become the world's highest skywalk, significantly strengthening Sikkim's adventure tourism profile.

Sikkim Premier League and Sports Development

Scindia attended the semi-final of the fourth edition of the Sikkim Premier League at Bhaichung Stadium, Namchi. Addressing players and attendees, he highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of transforming the Northeast into a major sporting hub. He also elaborated on the 'One Sport, One State' developmental approach and the Ministry's 60:40 framework, which prioritises coaching, talent scouting, and technology alongside physical infrastructure creation. The Sikkim Premier League, he noted, is playing a growing role in opening pathways for young footballers across the state.

This comes amid the Centre's broader push to accelerate infrastructure and livelihood investments across the eight northeastern states, with Sikkim increasingly positioned as a model for eco-sensitive development. All major projects reviewed are expected to move toward completion phases in the coming months.