Sivok-Rangpo Railway Project: Seven out of 13 bridges completed

GANGTOK, : The Sivok-Rangpo Railway Project has achieved another milestone with the placement of two 69-meter-long Open Web Girders on Bridge No. 6, Northeast Frontier Railway said on Tuesday.

A girder is a support beam used in bridge construction and an Open Web Girder (OWG) is typically employed for elevated railway tracks. The two girders, weighing a total of 810 metric tons, excluding the launching nose weight, were launched at a height of 40 meters using the advanced launching nose method. This technique ensures precision and efficiency in constructing complex bridge structures across challenging terrain.

NFR chief public relations officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma stated, “As of today, seven out of the 13 bridges planned for the project have been successfully completed, with work progressing steadily on the remaining six. The relentless efforts of IRCON, under the guidance of Northeast Frontier Railway, underscore a firm commitment to completing this project with efficiency and excellence.”

The Sivok-Rangpo railway line is being constructed by Ircon International Limited (IRCON). Spanning approximately 44.96 kilometres, the project will connect Sivok in West Bengal and Sikkim’sRangpoand features 14 tunnels, 13 major bridges, nine minor bridges and five stations.

Sharma emphasized that the Sivok-Rangpo Railway Project will revolutionize rail connectivity to Sikkim, significantly reducing travel time, boosting tourism and facilitating trade and commerce.  “This strategic infrastructure development will play a crucial role in improving socio-economic conditions, providing enhanced accessibility, and strengthening national integration. Northeast Frontier Railway remains dedicated to the timely completion of this transformative project, ensuring that the benefits of improved rail infrastructure reach the people of West Bengal and Sikkim at the earliest,” he added.