Sikkim, the only Indian state without access to railways, is all set to undergo a connectivity revolution. As per news agency ANI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the state’s first railway station on Monday (Feb 26).
“Rangpo station is the form of a touristic and defensive point of view for Sikkim and India”, said Deputy Railway Manager of Alipurduar, Amarjeet Agrawal.
“Basically, Sikkim did not have a railway line earlier. The government has signed this project in three phases. In the first phase, Sevoke to the Rangpo rail project; in the second phase, from Rangpo to Gangtok; and the third phase, from Gangtok to Nathula,” the official added.
Sikkim became India’s part on 16 May 1975 as the country’s 22nd state when the monarchy was abolished.
India’s first underground station
The Sikkim railway station will be built as a part of the Sivok-Rangpo railway project, launched back in October 2009. The railway line’s projected length is almost 45km, spanning from West Bengal’s Sivok to Sikkim’s Rangpo.
The line will have five stations in total, including one in Teesta Bazar, which could be India’s first underground halt station. The line will have four open crossing stations (Sivok, Riyang, Melli, Rangpo).
According to project director Mohinder Singh, out of 45 km, three and a half km is part of Sikkim state and 41.5 km is part of West Bengal.
He further adds details about the Teesta Bazar railway station. “Teesta Bazar station could be an underground railway station,” he said.