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GANGTOK (Metro Rail News): Gangtok may soon move closer to getting its first railway connection, as the Railway Ministry has prioritised the proposed Rangpo-Gangtok rail link. The 34-km project will cost around ₹9,000 crore and aims to extend railway connectivity from Rangpo to Sikkim’s capital. The Integrated Multimodal Network Planning Group (NPG) recently discussed the project under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
According to a Times of India report, the NPG’s consideration could help move the project forward and improve rail connectivity to Gangtok. The planned rail link will extend the rail link from Rangpo to Gangtok after the ongoing Sivok-Rangpo rail link project is completed. Indian railways has set December 2027 as the deadline for this project.
Sivok-Rangpo line to provide direct railway connectivity to Sikkim
The 44.5 KM extension of Sivok-Rangpo line is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 17,124 crore. The section has 14 tunnels and 13 major bridges.
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The railways have been working to strengthen rail connectivity in the capitals of states. Once the Sivok-Rangpo and proposed Rangpo-Gangtok links are completed, Sikkim would become the next state in the region to have rail connectivity with its capital. At present four state capitals in the region have rail connectivity.
During a 2021 review of the Sivok-Rangpo project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed the ministry to hold officials accountable for the delay. This project was being postponed due to the challenging Himalayan terrain, as it required the construction of several tunnels and major bridges.
Rangpo-Gangtok section to commence into next phase after a significant gap
According to TOI, the officials said that the Rangpo-Gangtok extension is under examination currently, so moving to phase two may happen after a certain gap once the Sivok-Rangpo section becomes functional. The Rangpo-Gangtok extension is expected to improve access to state capital Gangtok and strengthen rail connectivity for travelers and transportation of goods.
The Sivok-Rangpo section is 75% completed and is scheduled to be successfully completed till the end of 2027.
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