REGIONAL: British vision of rail link to Rangpo comes alive
Posted by barunroy on October 30, 2009
FROM THE STATESMAN
BY SUMAN SAHOO
SILIGURI, 29 OCT: The foundation stone laying of the Sevoke-Rangpo rail link tomorrow would fulfill an plan envisaged in the early 19th century by the British rulers.
The colonial rulers had envisaged a rail link (Teesta Valley project) between Siliguri and Kalimpong in around 1909. Construction works of a metre gauge rail link, however, ended at Geille Khola, short of Kalimpong and the service was opened on 29 September 1915. The extension work to Sikkim, however, was never taken up.
A preliminary survey to extend Rail link to Sikkim was carried out in the years 1917-18. A girder bridge across the Teesta near the confluence with the Great Rangeet River replacing the suspension bridge built in 1880 was also thought of. A siding for railway stock and the development of a copper mine was to be laid at Rangpo and the extension work up to Gangtok, through Sankokhela was expected by 1925. The dream, however, remained unrealised.
Tomorrow, the railways would restart the linking exercise after 59 years since a devastating flood that drove through Darjeeling district in mid- June in the year 1950 washed up the railway tracks till Geille Khola. With one-third of the annual average rainfall in two days, the Teesta flooded the area destructing the railway tracks beyond repair. All roads, rail and settlement at Geille Khola had collapsed into the river.
All demands from the residents to repair the railway tracks, which had become a lifeline for trade and commerce in the area, fell on deaf ears thereafter. The authority did not show any interest in repairing the tracks and restart the service. All that is likely to change now for the good.
“Hardly anything except nostalgia of the service remains today,” said the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway director, Mr Subrata Nath. “Although the proposed railway tracks between Sevoke and Rangpo is different from the previous one, it would evoke our memory,” he added.
(With inputs from ‘The Tron Sherpa’, Vol 1, by Terry Martin)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
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.
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.
GLACIER IN HIMALAYAS RETREATING FAST- A FACT
Measurements carried out in 1960-1984, 1984-1998 and 2001-2005 in Chotta Shigri glacier showed a retreat rate of 7 meter, 16-17m and 17-18 meter per year respectively indicated fast retreating rate of the glacier.
Sikkim Railway Link foundation stone laid by Vice President and Railway Minister
Sikkim Railway Link foundation stone laid by Vice President and Railway Minister
30 Oct Rangpo: The most awaited occasion for the people of Sikkim is now over, the 53 Kms Sevok – Rangpo Railway link foundation stone has been flagged by the Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari and Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee at Rangpo today. The estimated cost for building up this project said is Rs 1340 Cr and would be completed by the end of 2015 or earlier said.
The Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee stated that Government is planning to extend Railway links to Darjeeling and Mirik in another phase. The Railway link to Sikkim is a big challenge since during monsoon the NH31A frequently gets blocked due to landslides as such the Rail link could be a justified alternative for such case CM said. The 53 kms broad gauge Sevok – Rangpo Rail link would be a big achievements since there shall be 100 bridges, 13 tunnels, longest of all tunnel would be around 2 km.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling urged to extended the Railway link to Gangtok and Nathu La which shall make Indian Railway more advanced and special internationally.
Source:VOS
Sikkim Railway Link foundation stone laid by Vice President and Railway Minister
30 Oct Rangpo: The most awaited occasion for the people of Sikkim is now over, the 53 Kms Sevok – Rangpo Railway link foundation stone has been flagged by the Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari and Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee at Rangpo today. The estimated cost for building up this project said is Rs 1340 Cr and would be completed by the end of 2015 or earlier said.
The Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee stated that Government is planning to extend Railway links to Darjeeling and Mirik in another phase. The Railway link to Sikkim is a big challenge since during monsoon the NH31A frequently gets blocked due to landslides as such the Rail link could be a justified alternative for such case CM said. The 53 kms broad gauge Sevok – Rangpo Rail link would be a big achievements since there shall be 100 bridges, 13 tunnels, longest of all tunnel would be around 2 km.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling urged to extended the Railway link to Gangtok and Nathu La which shall make Indian Railway more advanced and special internationally.
Source:VOS
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)