Here is the 10 Key Points on the Rangpo-Gangtok and Sevoke-Rangpo Railway Projects:
- DPR Sanctioned for Rangpo-Gangtok Line: The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the 69 km Rangpo-Gangtok railway line has been approved by the Ministry of Railways.
- Sevoke-Rangpo Tunnel Progress: Out of the total 39 km of tunneling required for the Sevoke-Rangpo railway project, 36 km has been completed.
- Project Cost Estimate: The Sevoke-Rangpo railway project, spanning 44 km, is expected to cost ₹12,132 crore.
- Expenditure to Date: As of March 2024, ₹7,032 crore has already been spent, with ₹2,330 crore allocated for 2024-25.
- Factors Affecting Completion: The project’s completion depends on factors like land acquisition, forest clearances, shifting utilities, geological conditions, and law-and-order situations.
- Uncertainty in Completion Date: While no fixed completion date has been provided, Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the complex challenges influencing timelines.
- Final Location Survey Approved: The Final Location Survey for the Rangpo-Gangtok railway line has been sanctioned, marking progress toward the next phase of the project.
- Optimism for 2025 Completion: Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba is hopeful that the Sevoke-Rangpo railway link will be completed by late 2025, aligning with Sikkim’s 50th Statehood Anniversary.
- Potential Economic Boost: The railway project is expected to be a catalyst for economic growth, particularly benefiting Sikkim’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
- Political Endorsement: MP Subba praised the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, emphasizing that the railway project will propel Sikkim into a “Golden Decade” of development.
DPR Approved for Rangpo-Gangtok Railway, Sevoke-Rangpo Project Nears Completion
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Rangpo-Gangtok railway line in Sikkim has been sanctioned, while the Sevoke-Rangpo railway project is approaching its final phase, with only 3 km of tunneling left to complete. This update was shared by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in response to a query by Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba during the ongoing Parliament session.
MP Subba had inquired about the project’s expected completion date, cost details, and any plans to extend the Rangpo railway line to Gangtok.
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Project Cost and Progress
Minister Vaishnaw stated that the Sevoke-Rangpo railway project, spanning 44 km, is estimated to cost ₹12,132 crore. By March 2024, ₹7,032 crore had already been spent, with an additional outlay of ₹2,330 crore allocated for 2024-25. The project involves around 39 km of tunneling, of which 36 km has already been completed.
Challenges to Completion
Regarding the project’s timeline, Vaishnaw emphasized that completion depends on various factors, such as land acquisition, forest clearances, shifting of utilities, and topographical conditions. These factors, combined with statutory approvals and local law-and-order situations, affect both the timeline and cost.
Rangpo-Gangtok Line Survey Approved
The Railways Minister also confirmed that the Final Location Survey for the 69 km Rangpo-Gangtok railway line has been sanctioned. This is a crucial step in preparing the DPR for the new line, bringing the long-anticipated extension closer to reality.
Optimism from Sikkim’s MP
MP Indra Hang Subba welcomed the minister’s update, expressing confidence that the Sevoke-Rangpo railway link will be completed by the end of 2025, aligning with Sikkim’s 50th Statehood Anniversary.
“Sikkim is entering its Golden Decade of development under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang-Golay,” said Subba. He emphasized that the timely completion of the railway link will be a transformative milestone, boosting Sikkim’s growth, particularly in tourism and hospitality.
The Sevoke-Rangpo railway project is set to be a catalyst for regional progress, promising improved connectivity and economic upliftment for Sikkim.
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