New railway line in Sikkim
The Central Government has taken a big decision regarding the security of the country and connectivity in the North-East. This move is directly related to the state of Sikkim, which shares borders with three countries – China, Bhutan and Nepal. The Railway Ministry has released initial funds for a very important new rail line project in Sikkim. This project will not only give a new impetus to the development of Sikkim, but will also strengthen India’s position manifold from a strategic point of view. With the construction of this line, Indian trains will come much closer to the Chinese border, which defense experts are seeing as a big step.
Rs 8.48 crore approved for survey
The Railway Ministry has recently sanctioned an amount of Rs 8.48 crore for the ‘Final Location Survey’ (FLS) of the Melli-Dantum Rail Line Project. In this regard, on October 24, the Ministry sent a letter to the Northeast Frontier Railway and informed it.
FLS is the first and most important phase of any railway project. Under this survey, it is decided which will be the most accurate and safe route for laying the railway line, where the stations will be built and what will be the technical challenges. Only after the completion of this survey, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared and the total cost of the project can be accurately estimated.
The project gained momentum due to the efforts of the MP
Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Inder Hang Subba was making continuous efforts to speed up this important railway project. According to the information, he had met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav in New Delhi on July 25 this year. In this meeting, he had requested to speed up the work of Meli-Dantum Rail Project. He had demanded that the FLS work should be completed as soon as possible so that work on the project can be started soon after preparing the DPR. This new railway line will connect the southern and western areas of Sikkim, which are still deprived of rail network.
Why is this railway line special?
This rail project has the potential to bring a big change in the lives of the common people of Sikkim. At present, the main mode of transportation in the state is by road, which takes a lot of time and also depends on the weather. With the laying of the new line, perennial and safe transportation will become very easy for the people of the state.
Apart from this, Sikkim is a big attraction center for tourists from India and abroad. Better rail connectivity is expected to bring a tremendous boom in the tourism sector here. When tourists reach easily, the local economy will strengthen and new employment opportunities will be created for the people. With freight transportation becoming cheaper and easier, business will also directly benefit.
India’s grip will strengthen near China border
There is another aspect of this rail project that makes it of national importance, and that is the security of the country. This area of Sikkim is very close to the border of China. India has always had to face strategic challenges from China. In such a situation, the reach of rail network to this sensitive border area will be a big facility for the army. If needed, rapid movement of troops and transportation of heavy supplies and equipment to the border will become very easy. This project will definitely give a new strength to India’s defense preparedness.