New Sikkim-WB railway line underway

A new 45-km long railway line connecting Pakyong in Sikkim to Sevoke in West Bengal is currently in progress, according to Jitendra Singh, Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). He said that the funds to the tune of Rs 4,190 crore have been allotted for the railway line, which will also include 14 tunnels and 28 bridges. “This railway line will offer an exclusively picturesque and scenic journey while passing through the foothills of the Kanchenjunga mountain range and the Teesta river valley,” the minister said. Referring to the ongoing Greenfield Airport project at Pakyong, he said that it is expected to be ready by 2017 at a revised cost of Rs 605.59 crore. Singh revealed that 183 projects supported by the Ministry of DoNER have been completed in Sikkim at a cost of Rs 487.91 under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR). Furthermore, 41 additional projects worth Rs 721.89 crore are underway.