Sivok-Rangpo Railway Project on Track for Completion by 2027, Key Milestone Achieved

KalimNews, February 19, 2025: The much-anticipated Sivok-Rangpo Railway Project, which will link West Bengal’s Sivok with Sikkim’s Rangpo, is on course for completion by December 2027, according to a senior official from Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). The new 44.96 km rail link is set to revolutionize connectivity between West Bengal and Sikkim, enhancing the region’s accessibility and boosting its economy, particularly the tourism sector.

NFR's Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, issuing a press release highlighted the significance of the project, noting that it will establish direct rail connectivity between Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok, and the rest of the country. Rangpo, located in Sikkim's Pakyong district, is just 37 km from Gangtok, making this rail link vital for improved transport and economic development.

The project features 14 tunnels, 13 major bridges, 9 minor bridges, and 5 stations. Notably, around 38.65 km of the alignment will pass through tunnels, with the longest tunnel (T-10) extending over 5.3 km. The longest bridge (Br-17) will span 425 meters. These engineering feats are a testament to the ambitious nature of the project, which aims to transform the region's rail infrastructure.

A significant achievement in the project’s progress was the successful launch of two 69-meter-long Open Web girders for Bridge No. 6. Weighing 810 metric tons (excluding the Launching Nose weight), these girders were launched at a height of 40 meters using the advanced Launching Nose method. This technique ensures precision in constructing bridges over difficult terrain, ensuring the project’s efficiency and timely progress. As of now, seven of the 13 major bridges have been completed, with work steadily progressing on the remaining structures.

In collaboration with IRCON International Ltd, NFR is driving the development of this critical rail link, which is expected to significantly reduce travel time between West Bengal and Sikkim, foster regional trade, and boost tourism in the Himalayan state.

Sharma emphasized that the Sivok-Rangpo Railway Project will have a transformative impact on Sikkim’s connectivity, improving socio-economic conditions and fostering national integration. He reaffirmed NFR's commitment to completing the project on time, ensuring that the benefits of this strategic infrastructure reach the people of West Bengal and Sikkim as soon as possible.

With ongoing construction and the successful completion of several milestones, the Sivok-Rangpo project is poised to become a landmark achievement for Northeast India, enhancing connectivity and driving economic growth for the region.