CCEA nod for broad guage line between Sivok-Rangpo in Sikkim

New Delhi, Nov 6 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today gave its approval for taking up construction of new broad guage line from Sivok to Rangpo (52.7 km) in Sikkim at a cost of Rs 1,339.48 crore.

The broad guage conversion is to be taken up as a ''National Project'', Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan told reporters here.

Mr Chavan was briefing newspersons on the CCEA decisions this morning.

The project is to be funded as per the funding pattern of 25 per cent from Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) for the Railways and 75 per cent from the Ministry of Finance as an additionality as has already been approved for similar other projects relating to the North Eastern Region.

The work on the project is expected to commence during 2008-09 and to be completed by 2015-16, depending upon availability of resources.

Rangpo is a township in Sikkim on the border of West Bengal.

The new broad guage line will provide rail connectivity to Sikkim and it would make possible direct movement of freight and passengers form this region to other parts of the country.

UNI SBA MP DS1420