GANGTOK: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the Sivok-Rangpo line on Sunday, which would connect Sikkim with the rest of the country via rail.
Vaishnaw inspected the junction construction in Sivok, according to a news release, and instructed officials to transform the area into a gateway to Sikkim.
The only route connecting Sikkim with the outside world at the moment is NH 31A, which has extremely steep inclines and major monsoon delays.
Increasing traffic demand places a lot of strain on the road, increasing the risk of damage and the difficulty of the trip. It is anticipated that the rail connectivity will offer a dependable and accommodating transportation infrastructure.
The project is seen as being of strategic importance, according to the statement, since it will enable future connectivity to Gangtok and then to the Indo-China Border (i.e., up to Nathula Pass), as well as play a crucial role in satisfying defence requirements.
According to the announcement, the project's overall length is 4.98 km (3.43 km in Sikkim and 41.6 km in West Bengal), with a sanctioned cost of Rs 4086 crore.
This project is anticipated to include five stations, 21 bridges, and a total of 14 tunnels. The project has received both forest and wildlife clearance from Mahananda Wildlife.
There have been contracts awarded for 14 tunnels, 13 significant bridges, and 4 yards. Moreover, work is now being done to build yards in Sivok, Riyang, Melli, and Rangpo.
As part of India's G20 Presidency, Sikkim has been chosen to host two meetings: the Business (B20) meeting on March 16 and the Startup 20 summit on March 18–19 in Gangtok.
Sikkim is the only state in northeast to be chosen to host two different G20 gatherings is Sikkim.
Nevertheless, because there have been no flight services at the Pakyong Airport since October 2022, uncertainty lingers over how the delegates will get to Sikkim.
Vijay Bhushan Pathak, the chief secretary of Sikkim, however, stated that chartered flights will be used to transport the more than 150 delegates from 20 nations who are due to attend the two G20 events in Sikkim.
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