The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Thursday announced a financial relief of 1000 crore rupees for carrying out immediate relief works and restoration of infrastructure in the earthquake ravaged Sikkim. He assured that an Expert Team on Earthquake Resistant Technology will be sent to assist the state in rebuilding its infrastructure. The Prime Minister was addressing a high level review meeting at the Libing Army Cantonment in Gangtok during his brief visit to the Himalayan State.

The Prime Minister assured that the North Sikkim Highway leading to Chungthang will be opened by the BRO by the 15th October next. He told that the roads beyond Chungthang will also be reopened soon. He said that a Special dispensation will be made available for the road construction.

Asserting that the people of Sikkim are not alone and the whole country stands by them in this hour of crisis, Dr. Singh said that all possible help will be extended for rebuilding the lives of the people of the State.

The Prime Minister advised the State Government to learn from its experience by using proper building technology and building bye- laws to get better prepared for dealing with the earthquakes in future.

Earlier, the Prime Minister made an aerial survey of North Sikkim and other parts of the State. He drove straight to the STNM Hospital after landing at the Army Helipad at Libing where he saw those ,injured , in the earthquake.