| Sikkim's long-cherished dream to figure in the railway
map of India is likely to become a reality soon. The tiny hill state will
soon have its first-ever railway line with the survey work recently completed.
A spokesperson of Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction Division), confirmed
that the survey has been submitted to the railway board. The nearest railhead
at the moment is New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, which is 125 kms from Gangtok.
Further work on the project will depend on the
sanction of funds by the Union Railway Ministry. Indications are that
work on this project will begin towards the end of 2008. Construction
of new line in Sikkim from Sevoke to Rangpo would cost Rs 1,329 crore.
R Velu, Union Minister of State for Railways, stated this in a written
reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
He said, "As per the survey report, the cost
of construction for this 52.7 km long line has been assessed at Rs 1,329
crore. As much as 51.7 km will fall in West Bengal with only one kilometre
falling in Sikkim. The line nevertheless marks the entry of Sikkim on
the Indian railway map and paves the way for further railway network in
the state." The Sevoke-Rangpo rail line will be part of the first
phase of railway infrastructure development for Sikkim. In the second
phase, it will be extended by another 40 km up to Gangtok.
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