Vice-President inaugurates Rangpo-Sevoke railway project

Rangpo (East Sikkim), Oct 30 : Vice-President M Hamid Ansari today laid the foundation stone of a railway line connecting Rangpo (Sikkim) and Sevoke (West Bengal) at the Sikkim Mining Ground, Rangpo, 40 kms from Gangtok.

''This is a significant milestone in providing rail connectivity for Sikkim,'' the Vice-President said at a function attended by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, Sikkim Governor BP Singh and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.

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

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

Altogether 13 tunnels will be constructed for the project with the longest tunnel being 1814 metres. 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 the Ministry of Railways, has been entrusted with the execution of the project which is targetted to be completed in five years.

Meanwhile, in accordance with the Railways' policy of providing rail link to all the capitals of the Northeastern states, the department 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 hoped that this national project would be completed within its stipulated time of five 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 if the Sevoke-Rangpo rail link is extended to Gangtok, it will be an engineering feat for the Indian Railways.

Both the Centre and Railways should try hard to achieve this feat so that 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 Mr Ansari, exuding confidence that establishing rail connectively would not only lead to further economic development but also increase the number of tourists coming to Sikkim.

With the foundation stone laying function, the three-day visit of the Vice-President to Sikkim came to an end and he flew back to New Delhi this afternoon.

--UNI