85% of Sevok-Rangpo Railway Line Project Nears Completion, Promises Enhanced Connectivity for Sikkim and Beyond

KalimNews with inputs from PIB, Gangtok, November 24, 2025: Significant progress has been made on the much-anticipated Sevok-Rangpo railway line, with 85 per cent of the construction work completed so far, as confirmed by Shri Kapinjal Kishore Sarma, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Eastern Railway (N F Railway). In an appearance on the Akashvani News Gangtok talk show, Shri Sarma highlighted that, despite challenging geographical and environmental conditions, the project is progressing well.

The total length of the Sevok-Rangpo line is 45 kilometres, with 86 per cent of the route in tunnels, which present a substantial engineering challenge. As part of the project, five stations and 22 bridges are being constructed, with 19 bridges already finished. The CPRO shared that the construction of the remaining bridges and stations is expected to be completed by next year. Meanwhile, the construction of two key tunnels, numbered Eight and Ten, is slated for completion by 2027. The full project is expected to be completed by December 2027, marking a major milestone in the region’s infrastructure development.

In addition to the Sevok-Rangpo line, there are more railway initiatives on the horizon for Sikkim. Shri Sarma revealed that surveys are underway for two additional railway projects aimed at extending rail connectivity to Gangtok city and establishing a new railway line connecting Melli to Dentam. These projects are expected to enhance transportation links within Sikkim and strengthen the state’s connectivity with the rest of the country.

Looking further afield, Shri Sarma also provided updates on several other major railway projects in the North East region. The railway project in Manipur is expected to be completed by the end of 2028, while the project to connect Kohima in Nagaland is anticipated to be completed by 2029. Furthermore, N F Railway is also working on a third railway line between Guwahati and Kamakhya stations in Assam, which will help ease congestion on the existing lines and improve connectivity within the region.

Turning to international rail connectivity, the CPRO shared that progress is being made on two railway projects to connect India with Bhutan. The land acquisition process for these projects is currently underway, with plans to complete it within a year. Once the land acquisition is finalised, tenders will be published for the construction phase. The target completion date for the Kokrajhar-Gelephu project in Bhutan is 2029, further enhancing cross-border connectivity between India and Bhutan.

Shri Sarma also addressed the ongoing upgrades to railway stations in the North East, noting that 60 stations in the region and 92 stations across N F Railway are being modernised. These upgrades include the addition of modern passenger facilities, such as waiting halls, improved parking, circulation areas, and dedicated spaces for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities).

Regarding safety and security, the CPRO outlined several state-of-the-art measures being implemented across major railway stations. These include installing advanced CCTV camera networks, supported by a 24/7 control room. A panic button system has also been introduced, which, when pressed, triggers immediate focus on the relevant CCTV feed in the control room, ensuring swift response to potential security issues. Additionally, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel are now equipped with modern devices such as body cameras to enhance safety and security at stations.

As the railway network in the North East continues to expand, these developments are set to revolutionise travel and connectivity across the region, offering greater convenience and safety for passengers while stimulating economic growth.