NATHU LA TO KANYAKUMARI’ DREAM CHUGS ON RANGPO TRACK

Milestone for Sikkim: Ansari

RANGPO, October 30: Vice President M Hamid Ansari today laid the foundation stone of the Rangpo (Sikkim) and Sevoke (West Bengal) here at Sikkim Mining Ground, Rangpo, 40 kms away from Gangtok ushering in a new connectivity chapter for the landlocked State and at the same time triggering dreams of seeing the Indian Railways flag flying at top the Nathu La border post.

“This is the significant milestone in providing rail connectivity for Sikkim”, said the Vice President during the function attended by Union Railways Minister Mamta Banerjee, Sikkim Governor BP Singh and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.

The rail project is estimated to cost Rs. 1339.48 crores and is scheduled to link Sevoke in Siliguri with Rangpo in East Sikkim with a broad gauge rail spanning 52.7 kms.

Five stations have been proposed between the rail line-Raing, Gielkhola, Teesta Bazaar, Melli and Rangpo. There will be 100 bridges constructed with four manned level crossings along the rail track.

Altogether 13 tunnels will be constructed for the project with the longest tunnel being 1814 m. Final location survey is in progress to fix up the alignment of this route and work out detailed estimate of the project. This will provide the first ever link to Sikkim.

Indian Railway Construction Company Ltd, a public sector undertaking under Ministry of Railway is entrusted with the execution of the project which is targeted to be completed in five years.

Meanwhile, in accordance with the Railway’s policy of providing rail link to all the capitals of the Northeastern States, Railway has carried out a reconnaissance survey to bring Gangtok on the railway map of the country. Another survey to provide rail connectivity from Mirik to Gangtok is in progress.

The Vice President expressed his hopes that this national project would be completed within its stipulated time of 5 years. “It is gratifying that the further extension of this line from Rangpo to Gangtok is being planned and the survey for the same has been carried out”, he said.

The Vice President said that if the Sevoke-Rangpo rail link is extended to Gangtok then it will be an engineering feat for the Indian Railways. Both Centre and Railways should try hard to achieve this feat so the people of Sikkim benefit in terms of connectivity and commerce, he said.

“The government is fully aware of the need to significantly upgrade road, rail and air connectivity in the entire Northeastern region. Many initiatives have been undertaken in this regard and the Sevoke-Rangpo broad gauge line is one such”, said Ansari expressing his confidence that the establishing rail connectively would not only lead to further economic development but also increase the number of tourists coming to Sikkim.