The Sikkim government on Sunday lifted the odd-even vehicle movement restrictions across all districts of the state, with the exception of Gangtok, effective immediately.
In a notification issued, the Home Department said the decision followed a review of the fuel situation, which found that sufficient buffer stocks of Motor Spirit (petrol) and High-Speed Diesel (diesel) had been built up to meet the state's current demand.
As a result, private vehicles will now be allowed to operate without the odd-even curbs in all districts except the state capital.
Sikkim govt's rolls out of odd-even vehicle restriction norm
The Sikkim government two weeks ago announced the implementation of an odd-even vehicle movement scheme across the state as part of efforts to conserve fuel. To reduce inconvenience for commuters, authorities also enhanced public transportation services, an official said, as per PTI.
The move followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to citizens to cut down on fuel consumption and spend prudently in light of the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
According to a notification issued by the state Transport Department, the arrangement came into force on May 18.
To support commuters affected by the restrictions, City Runner bus services in Gangtok were scheduled to operate every 30 minutes between 7 am and 8 pm on the Ranipool–Secretariat–Ranipool route, the official added.
The government also ensured that all public transport services would continue operating on weekends, including Saturdays and Sundays, to maintain uninterrupted travel for residents.
The notification further stated that all Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) buses operating on designated routes across the state's six districts would continue running without any disruption.
It also clarified that taxis would remain available for both local and inter-district travel in accordance with the routes specified in their permits.
According to official data, Sikkim has 15,548 registered taxis and 6,474 maxi cabs.
The Transport Department said these arrangements were intended to reduce inconvenience for commuters and ensure the smooth functioning of public transportation services while the odd-even vehicle restriction remained in force.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Monday covered a distance of more than 2 km on foot from his official residence to attend a government function.
After the programme concluded, he travelled back to his residence by taxi.
Earlier, on May 15, Tamang had similarly walked from Mintokgang, his official residence, to Manan Kendra in the Development Area to participate in an official event.
In a statement, the Chief Minister's Press Secretary, Yougan Tamang, said the state government had formally implemented a series of fuel-conservation measures from Monday in response to the Prime Minister's call for responsible and disciplined governance practices.
"In a powerful demonstration of resolve towards the national call for austerity and responsible governance, the chief minister of Sikkim set a personal example by walking to attend an official function," he mentioned.
The press secretary said the move was more than a symbolic gesture and demonstrated the government's resolve to put into practice measures aligned with the Prime Minister's appeal for prudent spending and resource conservation.
