Gangtok: On the final day of the Super Car Rally under the Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative, “Sikkim – The Silk Route Drive”, the convoy reached the strategically significant Chola Pass at an altitude of 14,672 feet along the Indo-China border. The rally marked the first major tourism activity at the recently opened pass.
A total of 15 supercars with over 40 drivers were flagged in by Governor Om Prakash Mathur, Indian Army GOC Major General M.S. Rathore, and former Chief Justice of Sikkim Biswanath Sommader.
Chola Pass is historically significant due to the 1967 Indo-China skirmish, during which India gained territorial advantage on October 1, 1967.
On January 15, the Ministry of Defence had announced the opening of Chola Pass and Dokala (Doklam), alongside Nathula Pass, under the Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative. While Nathula has long been open to tourists, Chola and Dokala were newly accessible forward border destinations.
Initial plans to inaugurate Chola Pass in October were delayed due to logistical challenges. Rumours of China withholding consent for opening these border areas were dispelled with the successful rally. Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay is set to flag off 30 additional tourist vehicles from Gangtok on December 15.
Despite Chola’s opening, Dokala was not included in the two-day rally. The convoy reached Nathula on December 13, as far as the Gnathang Valley. A planned drive along the 32 hairpin bends of Dzuluk was cancelled after two supercars developed technical issues.
Speaking at Chola on December 14, Governor Om Prakash Mathur said, “This supercar rally has reached here through a joint effort of the Sikkim government and the Army. Personally, I am very interested in how tourism is increasing here. You have seen how this land is being used positively, and efforts are being made so that tourism grows.” He added, “For the common people, coming to such places and seeing the courage of the Indian Army makes things very clear. The memory of the 1967 skirmish is still here, and because of that, there is great enthusiasm and pride.”
On the participants, he said, “Many of them are owners of assets worth crores, each vehicle itself costing crores. Their willingness to take risks shows their love for the country, respect for our borders, and regard for our Army. The more facilities and connectivity we provide, the more we can showcase our country to the nation”
Indian Army GOC Major General M.S. Rathore said, “This initiative was taken by the Indian Army under the Ministry of Defence. On January 15, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri inaugurated several forward border areas along the northern border, particularly the India–China border, opening them for tourist activity.” He added, “As part of the Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative, we started looking at Doklam and Chola, both historic locations, for tourists. A large amount of infrastructure work had to be undertaken.”
He urged the participants to visit memorial sites, saying, “See these historic places and understand what happened on 1 October 1967, commemorated every year. The rally being held today is historic for Sikkim. The State Government has taken responsibility for activities on the ground, and the response from citizens has been tremendous.” He also praised the Border Roads Organisation, stating, “The engineers, commanders, and men on the ground ensured that every single car reached here comfortably.”
Zain Rais, founder of the Super Car Route Group, said, “This drive to Sikkim has finally happened, and what has been done here is incredible. The beauty we are seeing deserves to be shared. I thank the entire command team for making this possible for all 15 supercars. Many people kept asking me what I was doing, and I stayed quiet. Today, some of the best cars in the world are here, marking a major landmark for supercars in India.”
Gangtok District Magistrate Tushar Nikhare said, “From the administration’s side, I want to say other tourists can also come here. Dokala pass, which was earlier halted, we will definitely make sincere efforts to open it. From the 15th, around 30 vehicles are being flagged off to Chola pass. He added, “This is a very safe place and an extremely beautiful destination. Within Sikkim, you will find some of the best passes in the world. All official information will be provided to tourists.”
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