IRCON to construct Sikkim rail link

NEW DELHI: In a step towards linking Sikkim to the rest of the country through rail, IRCON has signed an MoU with North-east Frontier Railway for execution of the project.

The project, to be completed at a cost of Rs 3,380 crore, is expected to be completed in the next five years, said a senior railway official.

The 45-km long broad gauge railway link will connect Sevok in North Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim.

The rail link will pass through the foothills of Kanchenjunga mountain range and Teesta river valley. It will have more than 32 km length in tunnels, 28 bridges spanning deep gorges/valleys with likely bridge pier height equivalent to the Qutub Minar.

The project is being billed as an engineering challenge for the Railways, the official said.

IRCON, the Railway PSU, is credited for its work on the prestigious Kashmir Rail Link project and taking up several international assignments.

Once completed, this project will not only spur economic activity in the hill state and improve connectivity but also give a boost to tourism.