New Delhi: In a major boost to rail connectivity in the Northeast, the Sivok–Rangpo Railway Project has reached another key milestone with the successful breakthrough of Tunnel No. 8, one of the longest tunnels under the project. The development marks significant progress in the strategically important rail link that will connect Sikkim to the national railway network for the first time.

The breakthrough was achieved on March 12 by Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) in collaboration with IRCON International Limited, officials said, describing it as a crucial step toward completion of the ambitious railway project in the Himalayan region.

Tunnel No. 8 has a total length of 4.148 kilometres, along with an additional adit of about 1.010 km, and was excavated under extremely challenging geological conditions. Engineers had to work through weak, fractured, and weathered rock formations while also dealing with the complexities of hilly terrain and the sensitivities of the nearby NH-10 corridor, which added to the difficulty of construction.

With the completion of this tunnel, excavation work has now been finished in 13 out of the 14 tunnels planned under the project. Officials said substantial progress has also been made in other components, including tunnel lining over more than 32 km and ballastless track laying inside tunnels for over 21 km, bringing the project closer to operational readiness.

The 44.96-km Sivok–Rangpo railway line, being constructed as part of Indian Railways’ Capital Connectivity initiative, runs mostly through mountainous terrain. Nearly 86 percent of the alignment passes through tunnels, while the rest includes bridges, open stretches, and station yards. The project involves 14 tunnels, 13 major bridges, and 10 minor bridges, along with five stations at Sivok, Riyang, Teesta Bazar, Melli, and Rangpo, with Teesta Bazar planned as an underground halt station.

Once completed, the railway line will provide Sikkim with its first rail connectivity, significantly improving transportation, ensuring faster supply of essential goods, and boosting tourism, trade, and economic activity in the region.

The Railway Ministry recently stated that the construction work, including civil engineering, track installation, and electrification, is progressing on multiple fronts, and the project is currently targeted for completion by December 2027. DeshBharat