Gangtok (AsiaNews) – The long-awaited Sevoke-Rangpo railway line, which has been under discussion for over a decade, will link the town of Sevoke, in West Bengal, to Rangpo, in the state of Sikkim. Situated in north-eastern India, in the Himalayan region, Sikkim is currently the only Indian state not yet connected to the national railway network. The project will therefore help to reduce the isolation of this Himalayan state, facilitating the movement of local people and the transport of goods, which are currently heavily reliant on road links.
The expansion of the railway network in Sikkim has so far been hampered mainly by the geographical features of the terrain. Steep slopes, deep valleys and fragile, rocky terrain have made the construction of new infrastructure particularly challenging, not least due to the risk of landslides and extreme weather events. During the monsoon season, in fact, National Highway 10 – one of the main routes into Sikkim from West Bengal – is frequently subject to landslides and damage to the carriageway, which can disrupt traffic for several days. These disruptions cut off entire communities, hindering the supply of essential goods and access to healthcare services. To receive specialist care, many residents have to travel to hospitals in neighbouring states, facing particularly difficult journeys when the roads are impassable.
The project therefore addresses a number of needs. On the one hand, it aims to improve connections and living conditions for local populations, facilitating access to services and the movement of goods. On the other hand, it represents infrastructure of strategic value for India, given Sikkim’s location along the border with China. The new rail link could, in fact, facilitate the movement of military forces into the region, strengthening India’s logistical capabilities in the Himalayan area.
Built with an estimated investment of around 1.6 billion euros, the line will stretch for approximately 45 kilometres, crossing the mountainous terrain at the foot of Kangchenjunga and the Teesta River valley. Due to the complexity of the terrain, over 85 per cent of the route will run through tunnels. The project, which was originally scheduled for completion in 2015, has suffered several delays due to the COVID-19 health crisis, technical difficulties and the permits required to carry out works in environmentally sensitive areas.
The route also passes through protected areas, including the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. The construction of the infrastructure has raised concerns amongst environmentalists and local communities, particularly regarding the potential impact on wildlife, hydrogeological stability and the environmental balance of the areas it traverses.
Among the risks highlighted are potential railway accidents involving wild animals – as has already occurred on other railway lines – and the consequences of tunnel excavation in an area already prone to landslides and erosion. Following a lengthy debate between the authorities and local communities, in 2016 the Indian Supreme Court gave the go-ahead for the works, whilst imposing a series of measures: speed limits for trains, wireless sensors for tracking wildlife, and a ban on carrying out works at night to protect the animals.
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