IRCON International Limited has achieved breakthrough of another Tunnel No. T-13 of Sivok-Rangpo Rail Project , located in Kalimpong District of West Bengal Today . The executing agency awarded for this wok M/s. CSDHORAJIA has complete the mining of this 2560.5 m long tunnel in two and half year long period. The prestigious breakthrough was done in presence of Shri Mohinder Singh, Project Director of IRCON International Limited and other Northeast Frontier Railway officers, Detail Design Consultancy team of M/s Amberg Engineering AG and the higher officials of construction agency M/s CS Dhorajia.
The tunnel traverses through vulnerable and challenging geological and seismic conditions of the Lesser Himalaya. Like all other tunnels in this SRRP, to counter poor geological condition and for safety, latest and most sophisticated tunnelling technology, i.e., New Austrian Tunnelling Method or NATM is in use here. Swiss Consultancy M/s. Amberg Engineering has been engaged in this project and the execution team includes top class and well experienced engineers from India.
Tunnelling work started amid the 2nd wave outbreak of COVID-19 in year 2021 passing very challenging alignment route, hardly 35-40 m below the extensive villages over the tunnel make it geologically and operationally challenging. Breakthrough in such difficult conditions is a remarkable milestone achievement for the entire tunnelling team.
On achieving another tunnel breakthrough today, 8 tunnels now out of total 14 in Sivok Rangpo Rail Project have complete mining works whereas in another 6 tunnels breakthrough will be achieved soon. Track laying works in tunnel is going to start soon This is one of the prestigious ongoing National projects in India and on completion of this project, Sikkim will connect through the railway network from rest part of India. At present all the activities related to construction of tunnels, bridges and station yards are going on war footing basis to complete the project by end of 2024.
