Gangtok, June 8: To avert health hazards for passengers at high altitudes, the Sikkim government has made it mandatory for all vehicles registered in the state to carry oxygen supply kits or canisters from July 1.
State Transport secretary Raj Yadav issued a notification to this effect on Wednesday.
The notification said portable oxygen kits or canisters were compulsory for all vehicles (personal and commercial).
Sikkim has a number of popular tourist destinations mostly in the north of the state, which are located above 10,000 ft. They include Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang.
Incidents of tourists, especially senior citizens and children, facing breathing problems were reported from Tsomgo (Chhangu) Lake, Nathu-la and Baba Mandir which are in the east of the Himalayan state.
The kits and canisters will be certified by the state health department, while police and the motor vehicles division of the transport department will conduct frequent checking to make sure that the vehicles adhere to the order.
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