The Ministry of Railways has approved the final location survey for a proposed railway line in Sikkim , aiming to enhance connectivity in the northeastern state. The new line is planned to run from Melli to Dentam, passing through Jorethang and Legship. The survey, to be conducted by the Northeast Frontier Railway, has been sanctioned at a cost of INR 2.25 crore.
This project is a big step in the right direction for Sikkim's rail infrastructure, especially in the west and south. By connecting isolated communities like Dentam, which is located close to the India-Nepal border at Chiwabhanjyang, to the national railway network, the proposed line is anticipated to close a significant infrastructural gap.
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The new line is planned as a strategic extension of the under-construction Sivok-Rangpo railway line, which is expected to become operational by 2027. Melli, which serves as a key entry point to southern and western Sikkim, will likely serve as a junction for this extension, and thereby facilitating seamless integration of the region into the national transportation system.
The project's final placement, engineering design, and cost estimation will be guided by the comprehensive technical and feasibility insights obtained from the final location survey. It is anticipated that work tenders pertaining to the survey's implementation would be released soon.
This new connectivity project is anticipated to act as a catalyst for economic growth in the region, especially in Gyalshing and surrounding areas. Enhanced access is expected to promote tourism, boost trade, and create employment opportunities, contributing to the overall development of Sikkim.
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The approval of the final location survey indeed highlights the government's commitment to improving infrastructure in the northeastern states, and ensure that remote regions are brought closer to the national mainstream, and offer hassle-free travel to people. As the project progresses, it remains to be seen how it transforms the transportation and travel landscape of Sikkim, and how it will help to foster connectivity and economic prosperity.
This project is a big step in the right direction for Sikkim's rail infrastructure, especially in the west and south. By connecting isolated communities like Dentam, which is located close to the India-Nepal border at Chiwabhanjyang, to the national railway network, the proposed line is anticipated to close a significant infrastructural gap.
Read more: India: All 32 airports reopen for civilian flights as border tensions ease; full list here
The new line is planned as a strategic extension of the under-construction Sivok-Rangpo railway line, which is expected to become operational by 2027. Melli, which serves as a key entry point to southern and western Sikkim, will likely serve as a junction for this extension, and thereby facilitating seamless integration of the region into the national transportation system.
The project's final placement, engineering design, and cost estimation will be guided by the comprehensive technical and feasibility insights obtained from the final location survey. It is anticipated that work tenders pertaining to the survey's implementation would be released soon.
This new connectivity project is anticipated to act as a catalyst for economic growth in the region, especially in Gyalshing and surrounding areas. Enhanced access is expected to promote tourism, boost trade, and create employment opportunities, contributing to the overall development of Sikkim.
Read more: 6 Indian villages that are cooler than most cities
The approval of the final location survey indeed highlights the government's commitment to improving infrastructure in the northeastern states, and ensure that remote regions are brought closer to the national mainstream, and offer hassle-free travel to people. As the project progresses, it remains to be seen how it transforms the transportation and travel landscape of Sikkim, and how it will help to foster connectivity and economic prosperity.
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