NFR fast tracks work on Sevoke-Rongpo tunnel in Sikkim

The North Frontier Railway is making rapid progress in the construction of the Sevoke-Rongpo tunnel project, with completion targeted by the end of next year. Dilip Kumar Singh, Divisional Railway Manager of Alipurduar Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway, informed that this project would connect Sikkim to the Indian Railway network, running for a distance of 46 km with a tunnel track of 39 km. Two-thirds of the tunnel (26 km) has already been completed, with the remaining 13 km expected to be completed soon. Work on the construction of Sevoke, Riang, Teesta, Melli and Rangpo stations has already begun, with Rangpo planned as a world-class station. The project includes the construction of 21 bridges, with building work having already commenced. The Railways plan to extend this project up to Gangtok and Nathula Pass, located at an altitude of 14,400 ft in Sikkim, which is the border between India and the Tibetan Autonomous Region under China. A railway link connecting Nathula with the plains of Siliguri will help in defence, speedy troop movement, and trade and tourism in the near future. The railway minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has stated that the government aims to connect the entire country through the Railway network, with increased funding allocation from Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore to develop railways in Eastern India.