Sikkim Lifts Vehicle Travel Limits While Keeping Austerity Rules

Gangtok: The Sikkim government has ended restrictions on inter-district travel for state vehicles as part of a wider administrative update. While the Home Department confirmed the return of movement for official transport, it has simultaneously reinforced several austerity measures to keep public expenditure in check.

Fuel allowances for officials including the chief minister, ministers, MLAs, and state officers remain reduced by 30 percent. The state has also maintained a ban on purchasing new government cars, allowing exceptions only for emergency and police services. Furthermore, the chief minister's official convoy size is now capped at five vehicles. A government notification noted that, "Protocol-related restraints will also continue," which includes barring the Assembly speaker and deputy speaker from using pilot escorts during travel outside of Gangtok.

State offices will now return to a full staff schedule based on a six-day work week, though departments must prioritize virtual meetings to limit physical gatherings to two representatives. Foreign travel for officials remains restricted to rare exceptions. While movement across districts has been restored, the odd-even traffic rule remains active for all vehicles within the Gangtok Municipal Area until further notice.