According to news agency ANI, Sikkim, the sole Indian state lacking railway connectivity, is poised to undergo a significant transformation in its transportation infrastructure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the state's inaugural railway station.

Deputy Railway Manager of Alipurduar, Amarjeet Agrawal, highlighted the strategic significance of the Rangpo station for both Sikkim and India from a tourism and defense perspective.

Agrawal further explained that the government has initiated the project in three phases. The first phase involves the Sevoke to Rangpo rail project, followed by the second phase covering Rangpo to Gangtok, and concluding with the third phase extending from Gangtok to Nathula.

The Sikkim railway station, slated to become India's first underground station, is a component of the Sivok-Rangpo railway project, initiated in October 2009. This railway project aims to establish a line stretching nearly 45km, connecting West Bengal's Sivok to Sikkim's Rangpo.

The railway line will feature a total of five stations, with one located in Teesta Bazar, potentially becoming India's first underground halt station. Additionally, the line will include four open crossing stations situated in Sivok, Riyang, Melli, and Rangpo.

Project director Mohinder Singh disclosed that out of the total 45 km length, 3.5 km falls within Sikkim's territory, while the remaining 41.5 km is situated in West Bengal.

Media reports quoted project director Mohinder Singh stating that the Teesta Bazar railway station marks the first underground railway station in the Indian Railway, particularly within the broad gauge network.

Singh emphasized the station's significance, noting that its location at Teesta Bazar serves as a crucial link between Darjeeling and Gangtok, offering convenience for passengers traveling to either destination.

Reports indicate that the 45 km-long route is predominantly composed of tunnels, in addition to bridges and open cutting/filling of station yards. Among the total length of 44.96 km, tunnels make up 38.65 km, while bridges cover 2.24 km. The latest NATM technique has been employed for the tunneling process.

Image source: India Today