News

The Ministry of Railways has approved Rs 8.48 crore for the Final Location Survey (FLS) of the proposed Melli–Dentam railway line in Sikkim, paving the way for a detailed project blueprint aimed at connecting one of India’s most remote Himalayan states to the national railway grid. The sanction, conveyed to the Northeast Frontier Railway through an official letter dated October 24, reflects the government’s growing focus on infrastructure and connectivity in the North-east and border regions.

The Melli–Dentam project is seen as vital to improving connectivity in Sikkim’s southern and western districts, which remain largely cut off from major rail routes. Once operational, the new line is expected to reduce travel time, ease the movement of goods, and provide better access for locals and tourists alike.

Sikkim’s Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba, who has been actively pursuing the project, met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on July 25 to press for faster implementation. He urged the ministry to complete the FLS at the earliest, finalise the Detailed Project Report (DPR), and move towards execution. Subba highlighted that the project is not only crucial for economic development but also for strengthening national security in the strategically sensitive region bordering China, Nepal and Bhutan.

The Final Location Survey will help determine the most feasible route, assess terrain challenges, and estimate costs before construction begins. Officials said the survey data would form the backbone of the DPR, which will outline the design, engineering and financial framework of the project.

Railway officials added that extending connectivity to Sikkim would integrate remote communities with the national network, bringing long-term economic and social benefits. Improved access is expected to boost tourism in destinations such as Namchi, Dentam and surrounding hill districts.

The sanction for the Melli–Dentam survey comes as part of a wider initiative by the Ministry of Railways to enhance connectivity across the North-east and Himalayan regions. In a related development, the ministry has also approved increasing the frequency of the Dehradun–Tanakpur Express (Train No. 15019/15020) from once to thrice a week.

In a letter to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the decision will make travel between the Garhwal and Kumaon regions more convenient and frequent. The Chief Minister welcomed the move as a “public-oriented step” that would not only improve mobility but also promote tourism and economic activity across Uttarakhand.

The Rs 8.48 crore sanction for the FLS marks the first step in a longer process. Once completed, the Melli–Dentam line will symbolise a major milestone in Sikkim’s connectivity journey - linking the state more closely to India’s rail network and opening new opportunities for trade, tourism and employment.

Ankit Kumar is a Senior Sub Editor at Zee Business. He covers international affairs, politics, climate change, business, finance and global elections. With experience acros