Sivok-Rangpo Rail Line Project achieves breakthrough in longest excavation tunnel

The Sivok-Rangpo Rail Line Project has achieved another breakthrough with the completion of the longest excavation tunnel of the main T-10 tunnel. The T-10 tunnel, which is situated between Bhalukhola and Tarkhola in Kalimpong district, is the longest tunnel in the project, with a length of 5300 meters, and the evacuation tunnel has a length of 1144 meters. This tunnel passes through challenging terrain of the lesser Himalayas and joins the central tunnel with the NH-10.

The tunnel excavation began in June 2021 and was completed in only 1.5 years, despite the vulnerable geological conditions, making it one of the significant achievements of the project. The new Austrian Tunnelling method was used to counter the vulnerability of the groundmass.

The tunnelling of around 3320 meters in the main tunnel of T-10 has been completed, and the remaining 1980 meters are likely to be finished by the end of the year. Around 70% of the project work has been completed, including constructing tunnels, bridges, and station yards, and other activities are expected to be finished by the end of 2024.