Sikkim interested in Rs.1550 cr express highway project

Gangtok, May 13 (UNI) The Sikkim government has shown interest in the Rs.1550 crore Nathu La-Gangtok-Sevoke express highway proposal from an American company that aims to cover the present 114 km from Gangtok to Siliguri in 40 minutes.

Presently, it takes at least three hours to reach Siliguri in West Bengal from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim over the only link, National Highway 31 A.

A presentation on the proposed Nathu La-Gangtok-Sevoke express highway was made today by Star Universal Resource Company to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling here, an official release said.

The New York based company specialises in making express high ways, tunnels and airports.

''The company, which will also finance the entire project, said that the total cost of the express highway will come to about Rs 1550 crores,'' the release said.

The chief minister said his government would like to come to an agreement with the company as soon as possible.

This project has already been presented to DoNER Minister Mani Shankar Iyer, it was informed.

Only 30 km of the proposed express highway will fall in West Bengal and the company had already got the approval of that government for it, the release informed.

''As and when the Sikkim government gives consent to the project we will start the work,'' said Mr.Golshair from Austria who was representing the company.

The proposed all weather concrete express highway will have tunnels and bridges with two lanes and the slope of the tunnel will be less than three per cent. It will have 10 tunnels and as many bridges.

Around 12 months will be required for survey and 36 months for putting up the bridges and tunnels from Sevok to Gangtok as per the proposal. Entry points of the tunnel will be in Pakyong and Rangpo.

Senior cabinet ministers, government officials, representatives from BRO and the Army were present during presentation.

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