Sevoke-Rangpo rail line sees 'tunnel breakthrough'

SNS, SILIGURI, 12 DECEMBER 2022: In a milestone achievement, the Sevok-Rangpo Rail Project has seen a breakthrough in the form of an Evacuation Tunnel with the Main Tunnel on 10 December, the NF railway said today.

"The first breakthrough in Tunnel No 11, located in Kalimpong district of West Bengal, was done in the presence of Project Director, Chief General Manager and other officers of Ircon International Limited, Northeast Frontier Railway, Milberg Engineering (Detail Design Consultancy) team and construction agency ABCI Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. along with the local administration," the NFR said in a statement.

The length of the Main Tunnel is 3232m and of the Evacuation Tunnel is 960 in, located in between Tarkhola and Tumlang khola in Kalimpong. The tunnel traverses through vulnerable and challenging geological conditions of the lesser Himalayas, the NFR said.

"Like all other tunnels in this Sevok-Rangpo Rail Project, to counter vulnerability of the groundmass, latest and most sophisticated tunneling technology, ie New Austrian Tunneling Method or NATM has been adopted. Not only top class and well experienced engineers from India, but also highly experienced foreign engineers are involved in this project. The Evacuation Tunnel is connecting the NH10 and the Main Tunnel No 11," the statement added.

This new rail link project is around 45 km long and is characterised by 14 tunnels, 13 major bridges, 10 minor bridges and four new stations.

Around 3B km of the entire project alignment passes through tunnels and it may be mentioned here that 63 percent of tunneling work has already been completed and four tunnels have been

through. "At present all the activities related to construction of tunnels, bridges and station yards are going on a war footing basis to complete the project by end of 2023," the NPR said.

"With its completion, tourism and socio-economic development of the region will get a much-needed boost. Once operational, the project will prove to be important for connecting Sikkim in with the rail network. People of the region will get long distance access across the country and uninterrupted supply of essential goods can be done to Sikkim to cater to the needs of the people," Sabyasachi De, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the NFR, said.