- Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for Sikkim’s 1st railway station.
- This is a part of a larger railway infrastructure project worth Rs 41,000 crore.
- Despite the challenges, the project is 60 to 65% complete and track work is scheduled to begin next month. The project deadline has been extended to 2025 due to external factors such as floods and landslides.
Key Details
- Location: Rangpo, Sikkim.
- Project Scope: Part of the Sevoke-Rangpo rail line (Sevoke near Siliguri in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim) (45 km), connecting Sikkim to West Bengal.
- Features: 14 tunnels, underground Teesta Bazar station.
- Other Stations: Riyang, Teesta Bazar, Melli (all in West Bengal)
Significance
- Historic moment, in line with the ‘Viksit Bharat@2047‘ vision.
- Promotes tourism potential by providing convenient connectivity.
- Provides reliable transportation options during monsoon (when roads are disrupted).
Project Details
- Contractor: IRCON International
- Original Timeline: Awarded 2010, completion by 2015
- Revised Timeline: Completion target moved to December 2024
- Cost: Revised cost Rs 12,474.07 crore.
Interesting Facts:
- Sikkim’s 1st railway connection establishes a 3-transportation mode (previously air & road).
- Project phases: Sevoke-Rangpo, Rangpo-Gangtok, Gangtok-Nathula.
- Challenges: Complex terrain (86% of line in tunnels), delays due to floods and landslides.
