Rail Survey Approved for New Line in Sikkim
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Rail Survey Approved for New Line in Sikkim

The Ministry of Railways has approved the final location survey for a proposed 75-kilometre railway line from Melli to Dentam in Sikkim. This significant development aims to enhance sustainable connectivity and unlock tourism potential in the state's remote southern and western districts.

The planned route is set to pass through Jorethang and Legship—regions that, despite their tourism appeal, remain poorly linked by existing transport networks. Once completed, the line is expected to bridge critical mobility gaps and support India’s broader goal of integrating remote geographies into the national rail grid.

This proposal complements the under-construction Sivok–Rangpo railway line, which spans 44.96 kilometres—predominantly through West Bengal, with only 3.41 kilometres in Sikkim. The project is a challenging engineering feat, with over 86 per cent of its route running through tunnels and the remainder comprising bridges and open cuts. It includes 14 tunnels (one stretching 5.3 kilometres) and 23 bridges, with construction employing the environmentally sensitive New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). Once operational, the Sivok–Rangpo line will deliver Sikkim its first-ever rail access.

Valued at Rs 124.74 billion, the Sivok–Rangpo project underlines the central government’s long-term commitment to building sustainable, all-weather infrastructure in the Himalayan region. The newly approved Melli–Dentam survey signals a strategic extension of this investment and a renewed focus on regional integration.

Beyond connectivity, such infrastructure is poised to become a catalyst for socio-economic change. Rail transit offers a low-emission, climate-resilient alternative to the landslide-prone and capacity-limited roadways that currently dominate the region. It promises more reliable access to essential services, education, healthcare, and job markets for residents in remote settlements.

Importantly, this development supports India’s carbon neutrality ambitions. Railways, as a mass transit mode, offer a cleaner mobility solution that aligns with Sikkim’s environmentally conscious ethos. With further expansion into areas like Dentam, the state stands to benefit from both improved logistics and tourism without compromising ecological balance.

While the timeline for completion of the Melli–Dentam project is yet to be finalised, the survey approval marks a significant milestone. As India continues to broaden its railway footprint, projects such as this underscore the government’s vision for inclusive, future-ready, and environmentally sustainable infrastructure.

Your next big infra connection is waiting at RAHSTA 2025 – Asia’s Biggest Roads & Highways Expo, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Don’t miss out!

The Ministry of Railways has approved the final location survey for a proposed 75-kilometre railway line from Melli to Dentam in Sikkim. This significant development aims to enhance sustainable connectivity and unlock tourism potential in the state's remote southern and western districts.The planned route is set to pass through Jorethang and Legship—regions that, despite their tourism appeal, remain poorly linked by existing transport networks. Once completed, the line is expected to bridge critical mobility gaps and support India’s broader goal of integrating remote geographies into the national rail grid.This proposal complements the under-construction Sivok–Rangpo railway line, which spans 44.96 kilometres—predominantly through West Bengal, with only 3.41 kilometres in Sikkim. The project is a challenging engineering feat, with over 86 per cent of its route running through tunnels and the remainder comprising bridges and open cuts. It includes 14 tunnels (one stretching 5.3 kilometres) and 23 bridges, with construction employing the environmentally sensitive New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). Once operational, the Sivok–Rangpo line will deliver Sikkim its first-ever rail access.Valued at Rs 124.74 billion, the Sivok–Rangpo project underlines the central government’s long-term commitment to building sustainable, all-weather infrastructure in the Himalayan region. The newly approved Melli–Dentam survey signals a strategic extension of this investment and a renewed focus on regional integration.Beyond connectivity, such infrastructure is poised to become a catalyst for socio-economic change. Rail transit offers a low-emission, climate-resilient alternative to the landslide-prone and capacity-limited roadways that currently dominate the region. It promises more reliable access to essential services, education, healthcare, and job markets for residents in remote settlements.Importantly, this development supports India’s carbon neutrality ambitions. Railways, as a mass transit mode, offer a cleaner mobility solution that aligns with Sikkim’s environmentally conscious ethos. With further expansion into areas like Dentam, the state stands to benefit from both improved logistics and tourism without compromising ecological balance.While the timeline for completion of the Melli–Dentam project is yet to be finalised, the survey approval marks a significant milestone. As India continues to broaden its railway footprint, projects such as this underscore the government’s vision for inclusive, future-ready, and environmentally sustainable infrastructure.

Next Story
Real Estate

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?