NEW DELHI: In a push to bring Sikkim’s capital Gangtok on the railway map, railway ministry has prioritised the plan for a 34-km rail link between Rangpo and Gangtok, estimated to cost around Rs 9,000 crore.TOI has learnt that the proposed link was taken up by Integrated Multimodal Network Planning Group (NPG), the multi-modal evaluation body under PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, last week.The proposed line will extend the railway network from Rangpo to Gangtok once the ongoing link between Sivok in Darjeeling and Rangpo in East Sikkim project is completed. The move comes as the railways targets completion of the long-delayed Sivok-Rangpo railway line by Dec 2027.The 44.5-km Sivok-Rangpo line, being built at an estimated cost of Rs 17,124 crore, will provide the first direct rail connectivity to Sikkim. The project has faced delays due to the challenging Himalayan terrain, requiring construction of several tunnels and major bridges.The railways has been working to extend rail connectivity to the capitals of the north-eastern states. At present, four state capitals in the region have rail connectivity. With Sivok-Rangpo and the proposed Rangpo-Gangtok link, Sikkim would become the next state in the region to get a railway connection to its capital.Officials said the Rangpo-Gangtok extension is being examined now so that work on the next leg can be taken forward without a significant gap after the Sivok-Rangpo section becomes operational. The proposed link is expected to improve access to Gangtok and strengthen connectivity for passengers, tourism and movement of goods.The Sivok-Rangpo project has achieved around 75% physical progress and is targeted for completion by the end of 2027. The section has 14 tunnels and 13 major bridges.While reviewing the progress of the Sivok-Rangpo link in 2021, PM Narendra Modi had asked the ministry to hold officials accountable for the delay.
