GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ceremony for Sikkim's inaugural railway station in Rangpo as part of a slew of railway infrastructure projects worth approximately ₹41,000 crore.
During a virtual address, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the symbolic significance of the Rangpo railway station, highlighting its architectural design inspired by Sikkim's rich cultural heritage. The ceremony, held at Khanikola in Rangpo, witnessed the presence of Sikkim Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya.
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Governor Acharya hailed the occasion as a historic milestone for Sikkim and its potential to bolster tourism through enhanced travel convenience. He underscored the railway's utility during the monsoon season, offering reliable connectivity amid disruptions encountered by the NH-10 highway.
The new railway infrastructure, forming part of the ongoing 45-km rail line from Sevoke in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim, boasts 14 tunnels and 22 bridges. Operating under the Northeast Frontier Railway, the Sevoke-Rangpo section will accommodate 25-ton trains with a maximum speed of 110 kmph.
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Along the Sevoke-Rangpo route, three intermediate stations—Riyang, Teesta, and Melli—will be established in West Bengal. Originally awarded to IRCON International in May 2010 at an estimated cost of ₹4,084.69 crore, the project's completion deadline was initially set for May 2015. However, due to various factors, the revised deadline is now December 2024, with an escalated budget of ₹12,474.07 crore, as per media reports.
