Indian Railway Construction (IRCON) International Limited has finally achieved another breakthrough after completion of a tunnel (No T 13) of Sevoke-Rangpo Rail Project, located in Kalimpong district, today. The executing agency has completed the mining of the 2,560.5-metre long tunnel within two-and-half years.

The team consisted of project director of IRCON International Limited Mohinder Singh, other railway officials of Northeast Frontier Railway and the detailed design consultancy team members and officials. According to them, the tunnel traverses through vulnerable and challenging geological and seismic conditions of the ‘Lesser Himalaya’.

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In order to counter poor geological conditions and to maintain safety like all other tunnels in Sevoke Rangpo Railway Project, the latest and most sophisticated technology that is New Austrian Tunnelling Method has been used here. Notably, Swiss Consultancy firm Amberg Engineering and top class engineers from India have been engaged in this project for its execution.

The construction of tunnels was started in challenging alignment, which was 35-40 metre below the extensive villages, amid second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. According to officials, eight tunnels of the 14 have been completed in the Sevoke Rangpo Railway Project. Six tunnels will be completed soon. Official sources said track laying works in the tunnels is going to start shortly.

This is one of the prestigious ongoing national projects in India and after completion of the project Sikkim will connect through the railway network from the rest of India. At present all the activities related to construction of tunnels bridges and station yards are going on war footing basis to ready the project by 2024.