Xtromirit: added a info - done

2026-04-13T17:31:54Z

added a info - done

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{{Short description|Northwest Frontier Railway extension}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width = 32em
| name = Sivok-Rangpo Railway Line
| color =
| logo =
| logo_width =
| image =
| image_width =
| caption =
| type = Regional rail
| system = North East Frontier Railway
| status = Under construction
| locale = [[West Bengal]] and [[Sikkim]]
| start = [[Sivok railway station]]
| end = [[Rangpo railway station]]
| stations = 05
| routes =
| open = under construction
| close =
| owner = [[Indian Railways]]
| operator = [[Northeast Frontier Railway zone|Northeast Frontier Railway]]
| character =
| depot = Sivok
| stock =
| linelength =
| tracklength = 44 km
| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm|lk=on}}
| minradius =
| racksystem =
| speed =
| elevation =
| website = {{URL|https://www.ircon.org}}
| map = {{New Jalpaiguri–Alipurduar–Samuktala Road line|inline=1}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}
'''Sivok-Rangpo Railway Line''', a 44.96 km long {{track gauge|1676mm}} [[5 ft 6 in gauge railway|broad gauge]]<ref name=finalr1/> line connecting the Indian states of [[West Bengal]] ([[Sivok railway station]] on [[New Jalpaiguri–Alipurduar–Samuktala Road line]] near [[Siliguri]] in [[Darjeeling district]]) and [[Sikkim]] ([[Rangpo railway station|Rangpo Railway Station]] in [[Pakyong District]]), is currently under construction.<ref name="financialexpress">{{cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/sikkim-to-get-indian-railways-connectivity-what-is-the-status-of-the-sevoke-rangpo-rail-line-project-details/2093447/|title=Sikkim to get Indian Railways connectivity! What is the status of the Sevoke-Rangpo Rail Line project? Details|website=The Financial Express|date=28 September 2020 |access-date=2021-09-13}}</ref><ref name=railne1>[https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/north-east-to-get-better-indian-railways-connectivity-5-major-rail-projects-lined-up-details-here/2027372/ North East to get better Indian Railways connectivity! 5 major rail projects lined up], Financial Express, July 17, 2020.</ref> The railway line is strategically important for national security and socio-economic development, as the line will help troops and armaments move faster towards the [[Sino-Indian border dispute|Indo-Tibet border]].<ref name=approve1>{{cite web |url= https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/feb/21/coming-soon-west-bengal---sikkim-rail-project-1776854.html|title=Coming Soon: West Bengal - Sikkim Rail project |last=Chanda |first= Aishik|date=21 February 2018 |website= www.newindianexpress.com|access-date=2021-02-09}}</ref>

In the second phase and third phase, this line will be extended eastward to [[Gangtok]] (capital of Sikkim) and then to the [[Nathu La]] pass (on Sikkim's eastern border with [[Tibet]]).<ref name=tib1>{{Cite web | title=x.com | url=https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1552067154723618816 | access-date=2024-12-27 | website=twitter.com}}</ref><ref name=nathu1/> A separate fork from [[Melli]] will be extended towards west to [[Dentam Assembly constituency|Dentam]].<ref name=melden11/>

==Route==

Nearest big junction which connects to other parts of India [[New Jalpaiguri]], 30 km from Sevoke via [[Siliguri]].

{| class=wikitable width=70%
! State
! District
! Station
! Comments
|-

| rowspan="4" | West Bengal
| [[Darjeeling district]]
| [[Sivok railway station]]
| In [[Sevoke]].
|-

| rowspan="3" | [[Kalimpong district]]
| [[Riyang railway station]]
| In [[Rambi Bazar]].
|-

| {{rws|Tista Bazaar}} (underground station)
| In [[Teesta Bazaar]].
|-

| [[Melli railway station]]
| Melli station itself lies in [[Melli]] in West Bengal. However, Melli is a border town partially spread across both West Bengal and Sikkim.
|-

| rowspan="1" | Sikkim
| rowspan="1" | [[Pakyong District]]
| [[Rangpo railway station]]
| In Khanikhola locality of [[Majitar]] (4 km north of [[Rangpo]]).

|}

==Details==
{{see also|Future_of_rail_transport_in_India#Geo|l1= Geostrategic rail lines of India}}

===Features===

{| class=wikitable width=70%
! Feature
! Sub-feature
! Detail
! Comments/References<ref name=finalr1>{{cite web | title=Inspection survey for Sikkim rail link | website=@businessline | date=2010-01-25 | url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-logistics/Inspection-survey-for-Sikkim-rail-link/article20052215.ece | access-date=2021-02-09}}</ref><ref name="InspectionSurvey">{{cite web |first=Sarikah |last=Atreya |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/01/25/stories/2010012551081500.htm |work=The Hindu Business Line |title=Inspection survey for Sikkim rail link |access-date=2012-07-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131003127/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/01/25/stories/2010012551081500.htm |archive-date=2010-01-31 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=shiv1>[https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/northeast-frontier-railway-aims-to-have-sevoke-rangpo-rail-route-ready-by-2023-end/cid/1886673 NFR all set to ready Sevoke-Rangpo rail route by 2023-end], The Telegraph, 16 Sept 2022.</ref>
|-

| rowspan="2" | Railway Administration
| rowspan="1" | Zone
| rowspan="1" | [[Northeast Frontier Railway]]
|
|-

| rowspan="1" | Division
| rowspan="1" | [[Alipurduar railway division]].
|
|-

| rowspan="2" | Estimates
| rowspan="1" | Length
| rowspan="1" | 44.98 km
|
|-

| rowspan="1" | Cost
| rowspan="1" | Rs.7876.92 crore
| 2024 estimates.
|-

| rowspan="2" | Bridges
| rowspan="1" | Major
| rowspan="1" | 13
|
|-

| rowspan="1" | Minor
| rowspan="1" | 9
|
|-

| rowspan="3" | Tunnels
| rowspan="1" | Total
| rowspan="1" | 14
|
|-

| rowspan="1" | Route under tunnels
| rowspan="1" | 38.53 km
| 86% of route consists of tunnels.

|-

| rowspan="1" | Longest tunnel
| rowspan="1" | 5.1 km
|
|}

===Construction===

In October 2009, the foundation stone for construction was laid by the vice president of India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.constructionupdate.com/News.aspx?nId=WIcIBZdMByhLAS9Iyls+Og== |title=Update |publisher=www.constructionupdate.com |access-date=2021-02-09 |archive-date=2013-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528224619/http://www.constructionupdate.com/News.aspx?nId=WIcIBZdMByhLAS9Iyls+Og== |url-status=dead }}</ref> In May 2010, IRCON was awarded the contract for construction.<ref name=const1/> Project has seen multiple delays, and the target completion date was extended several times, i.e. to December 2023 in November 2021,<ref name=rev1>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-15|title=Sikkim expected to get rail connectivity by 2023: official|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sikkim-expected-to-get-rail-connectivity-by-2023-official-101636952720449.html|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=9 April 2023|language=en}}</ref> to August 2025 in May 2024,<ref name=rev2>{{Cite web |last=Digital Desk |first=Northeast Live |date=2024-05-25 |title=Sikkim: Sivok-Rangpo rail project likely to be ready by August 2025 |url=https://northeastlivetv.com/topnews/sikkim-sivok-rangpo-rail-project-likely-to-be-ready-by-august-2025/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Northeast Live |language=en-US}}</ref> to December 2027 in January 2025.<ref name=rev3>{{cite news |title=Bengal's Sivok and Sikkim's Rangpo to be linked by railway line by 2027: NFR |url=https://travel.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/destination/states/bengals-sivok-and-sikkims-rangpo-to-be-linked-by-railway-line-by-2027-nfr/118376127 |access-date=2025-04-30 |work=ETTravelWorld.com |agency=[[Indo-Asian News Service]] |publisher=[[The Economic Times]] |date=2025-02-19}}</ref><ref name=rev4>{{cite web |title=BRIEF OF ALL PROJECTS (As on 31st, January ‐ 2025) |url=https://nfrlyconstruction.org/Uploads/File/notification/28022025-12_147_ProjectDetails_Jan-25.pdf_70287489.pdf |publisher=[[Northeast Frontier Railway]] |access-date=2025-04-30}}</ref>

===Wildlife and environmental approval===
{{anchor | Wildlife | Environment | Environmental }}

The line traverses through [[Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary]] in the foothills of [[Kangchenjunga]] mountain range of [[Himalayas]], Darjeeling Forest Division, Kurseong Forest Division, Kalimpong Forest Division of West Bengal and Pakyong District Forest Division of Sikkim, runs parallel to [[Teesta|Teesta River]] and crosses [[Rangpo River]]. It connects villages and towns, such as the [[Kalijhora]], Birik daara, Lohapul, [[Rambi Bazar]], Gailkhola, [[Teesta Bazaar]], Chitrey, Melli, Kirnay, Tarkhola, Chanatar, [[Rangpo]] and Khanikhola, [[Majitar]], Rangpo.

By 2013, the route alignment was not finalised due to lack of wildlife and environmental approval as the first 22 km through the forested elephant sanctuary.<ref name=const1>{{cite web | title=North Bengal-Sikkim Railway Link | website=Railway Technology | date=2020-06-25 | url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/northbengalsikkimrai/ | access-date=2021-02-09}}</ref> In February 2013, the railways made a proposal to the environment and forest ministry that railway will install elephant sensors along the stretch of the proposed railway line in Mahananda elephant sanctuary or run the trains at a speed of only 20 km per hour in the forest area and stop when an elephant is sighted close to the track.<ref>{{cite web | last=Balchand | first=K. | title=Elephant sensors may come up on railway line to Sikkim | website=The Hindu | date=2013-02-07 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/elephant-sensors-may-come-up-on-railway-line-to-sikkim/article4387995.ece | access-date=2021-02-09}}</ref> Delays caused the cost overruns, compared to the original year 2008 estimates of Rs.13.4 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/works/pdf/Other_Projects_080411.pdf |title=Other projects |publisher=www.indianrailways.gov.in |access-date=2021-02-09}}</ref> In February 2016, [[Supreme Court of India]] approved the project with strict guidelines of the National Wildlife Board which had cleared the project in June 2015, but ordered restricted speed, wireless animal tracking sensors and allowed digging of tunnels only during daytime.<ref name=approve1/>

==Extensions and spurs==
{{anchor | Extension | Extensions | Spur | Spurs }}
{{see also | North Eastern Railway Connectivity Project}}

===Rangpo-Gangtok line===
{{anchor | RGL }}

''Rangpo-Gangtok line'': In the second phase, Sivok–Rangpo line the line will be extended from Rangpo to [[Gangtok]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Very soon, travelling to Sikkim by train will be a possibility | website=Times of India Travel | date=2019-09-17 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/very-soon-travelling-to-sikkim-by-train-will-be-a-possibility/as71172425.cms | access-date=2021-02-09}}</ref>

===Gangtok-Nathu La line===
{{anchor | GNL }}

''Gangtok-Nathu La line'': In March 2023, the [[Ministry of Railways (India)|Indian Railways Minister]] [[Ashwini Vaishnaw]] confirmed the plans to extend the line, to Gangtok in next phase, and to [[Nathu La]] at the border to [[China]] in the subsequent phase.<ref name=nathu1>{{Cite web|title=Vande Bharat train will run in Sikkim's Rangpo by next year|url=https://www.news9live.com/state/north-east/vande-bharat-train-will-run-in-sikkims-rangpo-by-next-year-au1001-2069228|access-date=9 April 2023|website=news9live.com|date=7 March 2023 }}</ref>

===Melli-Dentam line===
{{anchor | MDL }}

''Melli-Dentam line'' via [[Jorethang]] and [[Legship]]: Final Location Survey (FLS) was commissioned by the Indian Railway in May 2025 at the cost of INR2.5 cr. New rail line from southcentral Sikkim to West Sikkim will fork from the Melli junction in Southcentral Sikkim on Sivok–Rangpo line (which runs from Southcentral Sikkim to East Sikkim).<ref name=melden11>[https://urbanacres.in/indian-railways-approves-survey-for-new-sikkim-railway-line/ Indian Railways Approves Survey for New Sikkim Railway Line], urbanacres.in, 12 May 2025.</ref>

===Yadong-Sikkim line===
{{further | China-India railway }}

[[China-India railway#SYS|Shigatse-Yadong-Sikkim line]]: a 460 km standard gauge 120–160 km/h railway to link [[Yadong]] on Indo-Chinese border with current railhead [[Shigatse Railway Station]], Tibet, and possibly onward with break of gauge ([[broad gauge]]) and continuing to Sikkim and beyond, subject to the [[Sino-Indian border dispute|India-China geopolitics]] with trans-shipment land ports is proposed. This line may share a good part of its routing with [[China-Nepal railway]] towards [[Gyirong Town|Gyirong]] and [[Kathmandu]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.sina.com.cn/c/2020-09-01/doc-iivhuipp1969894.shtml|title=这次中央西藏工作座谈会为何如此重要？|date=September 2020}}</ref> Following [[2020 China–India skirmishes]], China seems keen to hasten Tibet rail projects.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=ANI |user=ANI |number=1552067154723618816 |date=2022-07-26 |title=WB {{!}} We have cleared all documents incl NoC (for Sivok-Rangpo Railway Project) & handed over the land to Railways. Survey underway for the extension of the railway project in Rangpo & later in Gangtok & Nathula (India-China boundary) as well: Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang (26.07) https://t.co/un8rVOva4O |language=en |access-date=2023-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727053008/https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1552067154723618816 |archive-date=2022-07-27 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Current status==

* 2022 Sept: 55% of 14 main tunnels (22 km out of 39 km tunnel route) and 40% of 13 major bridges were complete.<ref name=shiv1/>
* 2025 May: Revised completion date moved to December 2027 (official update).<ref name=rev3/><ref name=rev4/><ref>[https://nfrlyconstruction.org/Uploads/File/notification/27052025-11_147_ProjectDetails_April2025.pdf_712769690.pdf NFR construction update], nfrlyconstruction.org, May 2025.</ref>
* 2026 Feb: 90% of the work has been completed and the work on Testa Bazaar railway station is almost complete.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 February 2026 |title=Sevok - Rangpo Railway project to be completed by Dec 2027 |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2231092&reg=3&lang=2 |url-status=live |website=Press Information Bureau}}</ref>

== See also==

* [[China–India railway]]
* [[Future of rail transport in India#Geo|Geostrategic railways under-construction in India]]
* [[India-China Border Roads|India-China Border roads and rails]]
* [[North Eastern Railway Connectivity Project]]
* [[Rail transport in Bhutan]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sivok-Rangpo line}}
[[Category:Alipurduar railway division]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Kalimpong district]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Pakyong district]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Sikkim]]
[[Category:Proposed infrastructure in Sikkim]]
[[Category:Proposed infrastructure in West Bengal]]
[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge railways in India]]
[[Category:Transport in Sikkim]]
[[Category:Modi administration initiatives]]

Sivok–Rangpo line - Revision history

Xtromirit: added a info - done