The MPs conducted an on-site inspection of the Rangpo railway station and tunnel number 14, gaining insights into the engineering complexities of this ambitious infrastructure project. They were accompanied by senior officials from IRCON International Limited and Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
Hari Mohan Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of IRCON, presented a detailed update covering the status of construction work on tunnels, bridges, and railway yards. The presentation also addressed project cost escalations, safety precautions, and environmental measures undertaken to protect the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region prone to landslides.
The Sivok–Rangpo railway project, initiated in 2009, aims to connect Sikkim to the Indian railway network. Extending 44.96 kilometers, the line runs from Sivok in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim, with 41.55 km lying in Bengal and 3.41 km in Sikkim. Remarkably, approximately 86% of the route, about 38.623 km, passes through tunnels. The project consists of 14 tunnels, 13 major bridges, 10 minor bridges, and five stations: Sivok, Riyang, Melli, Rangpo, and an underground halt station at Teesta Bazar.
Officials from NFR stated that the project will significantly improve connectivity to the Himalayan region and bolster transportation infrastructure in the Northeast. The current targeted completion date for the railway line is December 2027.
Additionally, Ajay Tamta, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, arrived in Sikkim on June 4 for a three-day visit to review key infrastructure projects, including highway works on NH10, NH710, and NH510, which are vital for the region’s connectivity and economic development. The visit includes inspection of ongoing road repairs and restoration efforts impacted by landslides and adverse weather.
