Sikkim witnesses over 17 lakh tourist arrivals in 2025
Gangtok (PTI): Sikkim recorded more than 17 lakh tourist arrivals in 2025, up by over 82,000 in the previous year, but the number of foreign visitors declined sharply, an official said on Wednesday.
Compared to 2024, when the state had witnessed 15,40,421 domestic tourist footfalls, the number increased to 16,35,650 in the last year.
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The count of foreign visitors declined to 71,710 in 2025 from 84,710 in the previous year.
Tourism Department Additional Chief Secretary CS Rao said efforts are underway to attract more foreign visitors and strengthen sustainable and responsible tourism practices in the state.
Explaining the reason behind the drop in foreign tourist arrivals, he said extensive road damage in October, particularly along NH-10, had adversely affected the travel plans of visitors.
He further stated that if road conditions across the state, including NH-10, continue to improve and remain stable, Sikkim can expect nearly 20 lakh tourist arrivals in the current year.
Rao also attributed the growth in domestic tourist count to the growing preference of visitors for the Himalayan state.
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BDA bulldozer action in Saraipalya triggers anger; residents allege no notice
Bengaluru: Allegations have surfaced that the Bangalore Development Authority carried out a sudden demolition drive in Saraipalya early morning without issuing any prior notice, leaving several families shocked and distressed.
Local residents alleged that bulldozers arrived at daybreak and began demolishing houses without any warning. They said no notices or prior intimation were served before the operation. The sudden eviction triggered strong resentment among the affected families, who claimed their homes were razed while they were still inside or just waking up.
Reacting to the incident, journalist Mohammed Zubair shared a video of the demolition and raised questions over the manner in which the operation was conducted.
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“North Bengaluru’s Saraipalya saw a demolition drive early this morning that has left residents shaken. The BDA action has rendered many families homeless. People woke up to JCBs, not notices. Locals say no prior warning was given. Homes were demolished at dawn. Household items were thrown onto the roads. Families are left clueless about where to go, with children without food and even milk. Is this a lawful eviction? Even if action was required, should the government not have acted with humanity and compassion instead of disrupting lives overnight? An administration without compassion is unacceptable,” Zubair wrote.
The incident has once again raised concerns over eviction procedures and the need for due process, with residents questioning whether the demolition was carried out in accordance with legal guidelines.
