All you need to know about the ‘Best Performing Smart City’ in Northeast India
TNT Desk | December 2, 2018
South Sikkim district headquarters Namchi was recently adjudged as the Best Performing Smart City in the North Eastern Region. It was announced during a two-day long review meeting of flagship schemes of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for northeastern States held on Friday and Saturday at Agartala, the State capital of Tripura.
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Here is all that you ought to know about the 'Best Performing Smart City' in Northeast India- Namchi in Sikkim
** Namchi is situated at an altitude of 1,675 m (5500 feet) above sea level. It is situated at a distance of 78 kilometres (48 mi) from the state capital Gangtok and 100 kilometres (62 mi) from the town of Siliguri. Namchi is well connected to other towns in Sikkim and West Bengal. Jeeps and buses regularly ply between Namchi to Gangtok, Pelling, Jorethang, Kalimpong and Siliguri.
** Most of the people of Namchi are Hindus and Buddhists. Languages spoken are Nepali.
** Namchi is fast becoming a tourist spot and pilgrimage centre. The Namchi Monastery, Ralang Monastery and Tendong Hill are local Buddhist pilgrimage centres.
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** The world's largest statue (at 118 feet) of the Buddhist Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim, is on the Samdruptse hill (The Wish Fulfilling hill) opposite Namchi. It was completed in February 2004.
** A helipad is located 5 km from the town at an altitude of around 5000 ft. From here one can get the most panoramic view of Mt. Kanchendzonga along with other adjacent peaks, a part of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and the rolling plains of Bengal.
** Near the town, Sikkim's sole tea estate — the Temi Tea Garden is situated. The visitors can enjoy the scenic view of Temi tea garden – the one and the only tea estate in the state which produces top quality tea in the international market.
** One of the highlights of the town is the football stadium – the Bhaichung Stadium built by the Sikkimese government in honour of its most famous citizen, footballer Bhaichung Bhutia who owns a number of football schools all over India.
** Historically, Namchi was the place where Pende Ongmoo, the treacherous princess who poisoned one of the Chogyals of Sikkim, was caught and killed for her deed. Legend says her spirit still haunts the foothills of Ghurpisey.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head over to picturesque Namchi!
