June 20, 2009

Siliguri-Sikkim broad gauge railway survey

GANGTOK, 18 JUNE: The North East Frontier Railway has begun a survey for broad gauge railway project between Siliguri and Gangtok. According to Mr Bimal Samanta, chief survey officer, NF Railway, a broad gauge railway line would be laid up to Gangtok following submission of the survey report.
The survey team is now busy at Kalijhora near the Teesta in West Bengal. The report of the first phase of the on going survey would be submitted to the Railway Board along with technical designs by the end of November. The New Jalpaiguri Division of NF railway would start executing the project from December 2009. According to Mr Samanta, the line would be laid up to Rangpo (Sikkim-West Bengal border) in the initial phase, while the railway line would reach Ranipool near Gangtok at later stages.
It was also learnt that at least 14 tunnels would come in between Rangpo and Siliguri along NH 31A. The Rangpo-Ranipool stretch would have another 10 tunnels in the much awaited railway project in the Himalayan state. When asked about the structural designs and feasibility, Mr Samanta added that the railway project would be based on the study of the hilly railway system of Switzerland.

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