Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: Sikkim and West Bengal officials signed a new Reciprocal Transport Agreement in Kolkata on July 10. The deal doubles the permit quota for Sikkim taxis from 3,000 to 6,000. It marks a shift in regional transit rules.
Drivers get more freedom now. Taxis using Special Permits can finally pick up passengers on return trips from Siliguri and surrounding areas. The state also cut red tape for the Rangpo-Melli route. Sikkim-based vehicles no longer need countersignature permits for this specific stretch.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang pushed for the deal. He thanked West Bengal officials for their help during the talks. Tamang believes the new rules offer "substantial relief" to the transport community. The shift aims to fix connectivity gaps and build stronger ties across the borders.
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