PRESS RELEASE
Date: 27 December 2025
A delegation of the Sikkim Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by State President Shri D.R. Thapa, on December 26 met the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in New Delhi to raise serious concerns over the acute water crisis affecting various parts of Sikkim.
The delegation included General Secretary Shri Arjun Rai, Treasurer Shri Kailash Agarwal, and Gangtok District President Shri Pempo Dorjee Lepcha. The leaders apprised the Union Minister of the growing hardship faced by the people of Sikkim due to the persistent shortage of drinking water, particularly in Gangtok and its surrounding areas.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted that the situation has been aggravated by rapid population growth, coupled with outdated and deteriorating water pipelines and storage infrastructure. Despite Sikkim being rich in natural water resources, much of the water is lost due to poor infrastructure and rapid runoff, preventing it from reaching households. The crisis has not only impacted residents but has also severely affected the tourism sector, with hotels struggling to function and tourists cutting short their visits during peak seasons.
The discussion also focused on the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, a flagship Central Government initiative aimed at providing tap water to every household. The delegation pointed out that although over ₹1,300 crore has been sanctioned for Sikkim under the mission, the outcomes on the ground remain unsatisfactory. Based on visits across all six districts, the leaders observed that many rural households still lack functional tap water connections. In view of this, the delegation demanded a thorough inquiry into the utilisation of funds and the reasons behind the project’s failure to deliver its intended benefits.
Union Minister Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary gave a patient hearing to the concerns raised and assured the delegation that the matter would be examined seriously and that appropriate steps would be taken to address the issues.
The Sikkim BJP reaffirmed its commitment to holding authorities accountable and ensuring that every citizen of Sikkim has access to clean and reliable drinking water.
Publicity Wing
BJP Sikkim
