**Executive Summary**
On May 15, 2026, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia conducted an official visit to Namchi, Sikkim, to review major development projects in education, tourism, tea production, and sports. The visit focused on assessing infrastructure progress and aligning regional growth with Prime Minister Modi’s vision for the Northeast. Key action items included recommendations for ecological campus design, GI-certification for tea, and the completion of the world’s highest skywalk.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Education Infrastructure**
* Review of the under-construction Khangchendzonga Sikkim State University, the state’s first university, funded with ₹9.61 crore by the North Eastern Council.
* The 28-acre campus is designed to accommodate over 1,500 students.
* The Minister recommended incorporating additional greenery and natural elements into the design to align with Sikkim’s ecological character.
* **Tea Production and Sustainability**
* Temi Tea Estate is transitioning to LPG-based manufacturing to eliminate charcoal use and reduce carbon residue.
* The Minister recommended that the tea estate pursue GI-certification to enhance international market outreach and export potential.
* **Tourism and Adventure Development**
* Development of the Namchi–Temi–Ravangla tourism circuit is underway in coordination with the Ministry of DoNER.
* The Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco Tourism (IHCAE) is expanding facilities for rock climbing, ice climbing, skiing, and trekking.
* The Bhaleydhunga Skywalk Project, a ₹220 crore initiative under the PM-DevINE scheme, is set to become the world’s highest skywalk at an elevation of 3,200 meters.
* **Sports and Athlete Development**
* Introduction of the “One Sport, One State” approach and a 60:40 framework that prioritizes coaching, talent scouting, and technology alongside infrastructure.
* Emphasis on grassroots talent identification, scientific coaching, and the role of the Sikkim Premier League in creating professional opportunities for young footballers.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Students and Aspiring Athletes**
**Impact**
They will benefit from the state's first dedicated university and enhanced sports frameworks focusing on grassroots talent and scientific coaching.
**Action Required**
Students should prepare for upcoming enrollment opportunities, while young athletes should engage with the talent scouting and development programs initiated by the Ministry of DoNER.
**Stakeholder: Tea Industry Workers and Management**
**Impact**
The workforce will experience a cleaner manufacturing environment due to the shift from charcoal to LPG, and the estate may see increased global demand.
**Action Required**
Management must finalize the transition to LPG-based processes and initiate the application for GI-certification as recommended.
**Stakeholder: Engineering and Implementation Teams**
**Impact**
Project teams received direct feedback on infrastructure design and the pace of construction for major tourism and educational sites.
**Action Required**
Engineers must incorporate additional natural elements into the university's design and ensure the Bhaleydhunga Skywalk and Ropeway meet technical requirements for completion.
**Stakeholder: Tourism Operators and Local Stakeholders**
**Impact**
The region is set to become a major hub for adventure and pilgrimage tourism through the new tourism circuits and the high-profile skywalk project.
**Action Required**
Operators should develop recreational activities catering to diverse age groups as suggested to strengthen the regional tourism ecosystem.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Development of North-East Region (MDoNER): The primary ministry responsible for planning, executing, and reviewing developmental and infrastructure projects across the Northeast region.
PM-DevINE: A central government scheme (Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region) funding major infrastructure like the Bhaleydhunga Skywalk project.
Bhaleydhunga Skywalk Project: A landmark tourism infrastructure initiative in Namchi, Sikkim, designed to become the world's highest skywalk upon completion.
Khangchendzonga Sikkim State University: The first state university in Sikkim, established to enhance educational infrastructure with support from the North Eastern Council.
Namchi, Sikkim: The central location for the reviewed developmental initiatives, including educational, tourism, and sports infrastructure projects.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Reviews Key
Development Projects During Sikkim Visit in
Namchi
Highlights Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision for
Northeast Sports and Regional Development
Education, Tourism, Health and Sports Infrastructure Among
Major Focus Areas for MDoNER
Union Minister Scindia Visits Khangchendzonga State
University, Temi Tea Estate, IHCAE and Bhaleydhunga
Skywalk project
Scindia interacts with Students, Tea Workers and Young
Sportspersons Across Namchi
Progress of Bhaleydhunga Skywalk Project Reviewed;
Proposed 3,200-meters Structure Set to Become World’s
Highest Skywalk Upon Completion
Posted On: 15 MAY 2026 7:40PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia,
undertook a series of engagements across Namchi on the second day of his official visit to Sikkim,
reviewing key initiatives in the sectors of education, tourism, tea production and sports development.
During the visit, Minister Scindia interacted with local stakeholders, students, tea workers and young
sportspersons, while reiterating the Government of India’s continued focus on strengthening infrastructure,
livelihoods and grassroots opportunities across the Northeast.
Union Minister Scindia visited the under-construction Khangchendzonga Sikkim State University at
Tarku in 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 DoNER with an allocation of ₹9.61 crore, the
university is expected to accommodate over 1,500 students upon completion.During the visit, the Minister reviewed the progress of the administrative block and campus infrastructure.
Observing the natural landscape and pedestrian pathways around the campus, he suggested incorporating
additional greenery and natural elements within the university’s design framework to further align the
infrastructure with Sikkim’s ecological character. He also congratulated the engineering and
implementation teams for the pace of ongoing work.
Minister Scindia later visited the Temi Tea Estate and Temi Tea Processing Unit in Namchi, where he
interacted with tea garden workers and officials associated with the estate. He reviewed various stages of
tea production, processing and packaging, and discussed the estate’s international market outreach and
export potential.The Minister was briefed by officials on Temi Tea’s transition towards LPG-based tea manufacturing
processes, eliminating the use of charcoal and reducing carbon residue during production. The Minister
was also recommended the tea estate to get GI-certified. He also interacted with women tea pluckers and
estate workers during his visit to the plantations and processing facilities, all while speaking fluent
Nepalese.
Minister Scindia visited the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco Tourism (IHCAE),
Chemchey, where he reviewed the proposed Namchi–Temi–Ravangla tourism circuit, being developed in
coordination with the Government of Sikkim and the Ministry of DoNER. The proposed circuit forms part
of the Ministry’s broader regional tourism infrastructure approach. Two similar tourism circuits supported
by the Ministry of DoNER are already under implementation in Tripura and Meghalaya.
During the review, the Minister took stock of the facilities and activities being developed at IHCAE,
including rock climbing, ice climbing, cycling tracks, trekking, skiing, mountaineering and guided eco-
tourism activities. He suggested that additional tourism and recreational activities catering to visitors age
groups may further strengthen the region’s tourism ecosystem. Discussions were also held regarding
supporting infrastructure and tourist amenities linked to pilgrimage and tourism routes in the region,
including the Char Dham corridor.
Later in the day, Minister Scindia attended the semifinal fixture of the 4th edition of the Sikkim Premier
League at Bhaichung Stadium, Namchi. The Minister witnessed cultural performances, including the
traditional Nepali Maruni dance presented by local youth artists.Addressing players and attendees, the Minister highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of
transforming the Northeast into a major sporting hub of the country. Referring to the High-Level Task
Force meetings led by the Ministry of DoNER, he noted the focus being placed on grassroots talent
identification, scientific coaching, sports science integration and athlete development across the region.
Minister Scindia also spoke about the “One Sport, One State” developmental approach and the Ministry’s
60:40 framework prioritising coaching, talent scouting and technology alongside sports infrastructure
creation. He further noted the growing role of the Sikkim Premier League in creating opportunities for
young footballers across the state.Union Minister Scindia also travelled via the 3.5 km-long Bhaleydhunga Ropeway and reviewed the
progress of the Bhaleydhunga Skywalk Project being developed in Namchi under the PM-DevINE scheme
of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region at the cost of Rs.220 crore. During the visit, Shri
Scindia took stock of implementation progress and associated infrastructure components linked to the
project. Once completed, the 240 m long circular glass Bhaleydhunga Skywalk, proposed at an elevation
of 3,200 m, is expected to emerge as the highest skywalk in the world and further strengthen Sikkim’s
tourism infrastructure and adventure tourism potential.*****
PS
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