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Time to Walk the Bhaley Dhunga Talk

By himalayanreview
Reference from Sikkim Times report


Imaginary view of Proposed Sky Walk in Bhaley Dhunga
 
Sikkim grabs yet another mega-budget, inspiring Tourism project funding from the center to uplift Sikkim in the global tourism sector. The 13th Finance Commission FC reveals in its report about recommending projects for Sikkim worth Rs 400 Crore grant-in-aid package within the next five years; this includes the most awaited project of Bhaley Dunga, where the government had placed a proposal for construction of Sky Walk in 2007. As told in the report, the 13th FC has proposed the said project of Bhaley Dhunga Rs 200 Crore. 

The Commission, in its report, was tabled by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the Parliament on Feb 25, indicating that Sikkim had made a strong pitch for the proposed project and, fortunately, projects like Sky Walk will be the first of its kind in India, said in the report. In its report, the commission makes it clear to avoid any damage to the ecosystem during the construction, and all possible conservation measures should be ensured towards the flora & fauna of the Himalayan region also. According to the report, the Sky Walk project will be a mega attraction since this could be the country’s first-ever monument built to attract tourists worldwide. The proposed Sky Walk project would be elevated 5000 ft on a hill, fabricated by transparent glass to give visitors a wide panoramic view of the surrounding ecosystem.

Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Kumar Chamling first proposed the construction of the iconic Sky Walk project in Bhaley Dhunga in 2007. Due to its geographical topology, the Sky Walk project would be a great innovation for boosting Sikkim Tourism. While the 13th Finance Commission's grant of Rs 200 crores for this project is welcome, the fund is very well short of the estimated cost of the Bhaley Dhunga Sky Walk project.

It may be recalled that an international consultancy firm, in its pre-feasibility report in August 2008, had pegged the estimated cost of the proposed iconic Sky Walk at Bhaley Dhunga Peak as an integrated tourism destination at around Rs 1200 crores. The lump sum cost involved constructing three finger-shaped glass SkyWalks connected through a tunnel in the rocky spur of Bhaley Dhunga cliff, standing at an elevation of 10,102 feet.

Meanwhile, rural tourism in Sikkim has much to cheer from the 13th Finance Commission. 
The commission has also stated that developing Village Tourism's scope within the state for which a grant-in-aid amounting to Rs 80 Crores is being recommended, as stated in the report. The fund would be utilized to boost village surroundings, beautify rural connectivity, etc. It is estimated that the completion of the project, including commissioning, will boost Sikkim’s economy to greater heights.
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