India to Open Sikkim’s Cho La and Doklam for Battlefield Tourism, Says Top Official

India plans to open Cho La in Sikkim for tourists under its new ‘Battlefield Tourism’ project, also known as Ranbhoomi tourism. A senior Sikkim government official, CS Rao, confirmed this on Friday. He also mentioned that the area near Doklam—the strategic spot where India, China, and Bhutan meet and where tensions rose in 2017—will also be opened for visitors.

Efforts to Improve Tourist Facilities Underway

According to Mr. Rao, the state government is working closely with the Indian Army to set up the needed infrastructure for tourism in these sensitive locations. He said about 30 sites across India have been selected for battlefield tourism, and preparations are being made to make the areas tourist-friendly.

Special Permits and Daily Visitor Limits

To manage tourist flow and ensure safety, visitors will be allowed to travel to the Indian side of Doklam with special permits. In the beginning, only 30 vehicles per day will be allowed to enter the region. This number might be raised to 50 depending on road conditions and Army approval.

Discussions with Army and MEA Underway

Talks are ongoing with the Indian Army and the Ministry of External Affairs to finalise the plan. The Bhutanese government has also been informed about the initiative. The tourism program is expected to begin by late September if everything goes as planned.

The Doklam standoff in 2017 between Indian and Chinese troops lasted 73 days. The area is near the Siliguri Corridor—also known as the Chicken’s Neck—a narrow stretch of land that connects India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country.