In a significant move, India is all set to allow tourism at the Doklam trijunction, a highly strategic region near the India-China-Bhutan border in Sikkim. The initiative is part of the Centre’s new battlefield tourism project, and aims to open previously restricted areas for public exploration. The tourism plan will include the Cho La pass and the Doklam trijunction, both key military zones that played crucial roles during the 2017 India-China standoff.
The first phase of Doklam trijunction tourism is likely to begin in late September, with entry restricted to 30 vehicles per day. Depending on road and security conditions, this may be increased to 50 vehicles. Visitors will need special permits to access these areas, and the permits will be monitored jointly by the Indian Army and the Ministry of External Affairs.
India intervened to safeguard its strategic interests and to support Bhutan, an ally. China halted construction activities at Doklam, also known as Donglang, after more than two months of a controlled stand-off.
“We are preparing to open Doklam for visitors in September, when the tourist season starts in Sikkim. It is one of three sites the Defence Ministry identified in Sikkim for battlefield tourism in India,” C. Subhakar Rao, the State’s Additional Chief Secretary handling the Tourism and Civil Aviation departments, told The Hindu.
The battlefield tourism initiative covers around 30 locations across India, aiming to promote patriotism and awareness about strategic military zones. The Doklam trijunction, which overlooks the critical Siliguri Corridor (also known as Chicken’s Neck), holds immense strategic value as it connects mainland India to its northeastern states.
