Historic Sevoke-Rangpo Railway Hits Major Milestone; Operations to Begin by December 2027
Siliguri, March 21, 2026 — Sikkim is moving significantly closer to making transport history. The highly anticipated Sivok-Rangpo railway project, which will finally connect the Himalayan state to the national railway network, achieved a critical milestone this week with the successful breakthrough of Tunnel Number 8.
Being executed under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) alongside IRCON International, the strategic rail line is racing toward its targeted commissioning date of December 2027.
Taming the Himalayas: The Tunnel 8 Breakthrough
Stretching 4.148 kilometers, Tunnel No. 8 is one of the most vital arteries of the entire Sivok-Rangpo alignment. According to the NFR, the excavation and mining of this specific tunnel were carried out under exceptionally grueling geological conditions. Engineers had to navigate highly weak, weathered, and fractured rock strata, further complicated by the unpredictable hilly terrain and the extreme sensitivities of operating right next to the critical NH-10 highway corridor.
With this successful breakthrough, mining and excavation have now been completed in 13 out of the total 14 tunnels planned for the massive infrastructure project.
An Underground Engineering Marvel
The Sivok-Rangpo railway line is shaping up to be a true engineering marvel. The broad-gauge route spans 44.96 kilometers, with 41.55 kilometers falling within West Bengal and the remaining 3.41 kilometers entering Sikkim.
Due to the fragile nature of the Himalayan landscape, a staggering 86 percent of the entire train route (roughly 38.6 kilometers) runs entirely underground. The project encompasses 14 tunnels—the longest being 5.3 kilometers—alongside 13 major bridges and 10 minor bridges spanning deep valleys and river systems.
Once fully operational, the railway corridor will feature five stations: Sivok, Riyang, Melli, Rangpo, and a groundbreaking underground halt station at Teesta Bazar, marking a pioneering achievement for Indian Railways.
Cost and Strategic Importance
Sanctioned as part of the broader Capital Connectivity initiative of Indian Railways, the latest estimated cost of the Sivok-Rangpo project stands at ₹11,973 crore. As of March 2025, an expenditure of ₹8,358 crore had already been incurred, with heavy outlays dedicated to finishing the final stretches.
Beyond boosting regional tourism and trade, the railway line holds immense strategic significance due to Sikkim’s proximity to the India-China border, ensuring a seamless, all-weather supply chain for both civilians and the armed forces.