Railways Fast-Tracks 34-Km Gangtok Rail Link, Estimated to Cost Rs 9,000 Crore

India's national railway network is set to receive a significant boost with the proposed 34-kilometer rail link between Rangpo and Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. This ambitious project is part of the Integrated Multimodal Network Planning Group's broader efforts under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. With an estimated cost of approximately 9,000 crore rupees.

The project is slated for completion by December 2027, bolstering connectivity to the region.

The proposed line will extend the railway network from Rangpo to Gangtok once the ongoing 44.5-km Sivok-Rangpo line is completed. The move is part of the railways' efforts to expand rail connectivity to the capitals of north-eastern states. With Sivok-Rangpo and the proposed Rangpo-Gangtok link expected to provide direct rail connectivity to Sikkim.

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The Sivok-Rangpo line, being built at an estimated cost of Rs 17,124 crore, will offer the first direct rail connection to Sikkim. However, the project has faced delays due to the challenging Himalayan terrain, requiring the construction of several tunnels and major bridges.

The railways has been working to extend rail connectivity to the capitals of north-eastern states.

As the Sivok-Rangpo rail link nears completion, authorities are scrutinizing the Rangpo-Gangtok extension to prevent a prolonged delay in the project's progression. The proposed extension, slated to bolster access to Gangtok, will also enhance connectivity for travelers, tourists, and freight transport.

The Sivok-Rangpo project has achieved around 75% physical progress and is targeted for completion by the end of 2027. In 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the progress of the Sivok-Rangpo link and asked the ministry to hold officials accountable for the delay.

The proposed Rangpo-Gangtok link is a important step of the railways' expansion plans in the region. With the Sivok-Rangpo project nearing completion, the focus is now on completing the Rangpo-Gangtok link to provide seamless connectivity to the capital of Sikkim.

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The estimated cost of the Rangpo-Gangtok link is around Rs 9,000 crore, with the expected completion date set for December 2027. The project's completion will not only improve connectivity but also boost economic growth and development in the region.

The Indian Railways has emphasized the importance of completing the Rangpo-Gangtok link to provide direct rail connectivity to Sikkim. With the project nearing completion, the railways is expected to make significant progress in expanding rail connectivity to the region.

The project's completion is expected to have a positive impact on the region's economy and development.