05/08/2026
Thank you Sir Prem Singh Tamang (Golay)
Tourism Department Unveils AI-Powered Online Permit System for Sikkim
Gangtok, August 5: The Tourism & Civil Aviation Department held a stakeholders' meeting under the Sikkim Inspires initiative to introduce its upcoming AI-powered single-window online permit system for restricted tourist destinations.
Tourism Minister T.T. Bhutia said the new digital platform will simplify and speed up permit issuance for destinations like Nathula Pass and North Sikkim. To protect local businesses, the system is IP-geofenced, allowing only Sikkim-registered travel agencies to generate permits.
The platform will also support online payments, real-time application tracking, flexible vehicle selection based on weather conditions, and automated notifications. The Department also announced infrastructure upgrades at Nathula and the standardization of conservation and garbage fees.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary Raj Kumar Yadav demonstrated the portal's features, while Secretary Hondala Gyaltsen said the initiative was developed following requests from tourism stakeholders to replace the existing multi-department permit process with a single-window system.
Stakeholders, including travel associations, drivers' groups, and police officials, welcomed the initiative and shared suggestions for its smooth implementation.