Minister vows rail link to Sikkim

GANGOK, June 28: Union minister of state for Railways Mr R Velu announced here today that Sikkim would get the much-awaited railway connectivity soon.

“To begin with, trains would ply between Sevoke in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim, a stretch of 52.7 km. The estimated expenditure for the project is Rs 1,334 crore,” Mr Velu, said. He added that railway link in the state would be extended up to Gangtok later.

“We have decided to introduce five passenger reservation centres (PRCs) in Sikkim for the benefit of the common people and tourists,” he added. Mr Velu said that 14 per cent of the total revenue earned by the state railway would go to the Centre. “Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) will be introduced for the first time by the Northeastern Railway. Under the new system, tickets can be booked from any part of the state even without personal appearance,” Mr Velu, added.

It may be recalled that Sikkim Governor Mr V Rama Rao had called for introduction of railway services in the state during a meeting with the Railway Board officials at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi recently. Union panchayat minister Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar, Governors and chief ministers of N-E states and chairman of the North-Eastern Council were also present at the summit.

“Railway connectivity was a long pending demand of the people of Sikkim. Since Sikkim is the only state in the north-east that does not have railway connectivity, the Centre decided to consider the plea of the state officials,” the minister, said.
He added that the Centre is also planning to introduce railway link in Nathu La at an altitude of 14,420 feet.

Mr Velu met state ministers and officials here today. Among others present at the meeting included minister of state for transport Mr Menlom Lepcha, Rajya Sabha MP Mr OT Lepcha, Lok Sabha MP Mr Nakul Das Rai and state chief secretary Mr ND Chingapa. Mr Velu is also scheduled to visit Thegu tomorrow. He will leave for Darjeeling on 30 June.

JANHA BAGCHA TEESTA RANGIT

This was a national song of Sikkim sung in the Nepali language during the monarchy system. During the merger with India, the song got banned and later re-released. Two words on the 8th para, which earlier said 'Rajah rah Rani,' were replaced with "Janmah bhumi." This song was dedicated to the King and Queen of Sikkim. The song lyrics were penned by Sanu Lama, and the music was composed by Dushyant Lama. The song was first sung on the birth anniversary of Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal on April 4, 1970, at Gangtok by Aruna Lama, Dawa Lama, and Manikamal Chettri. JANHA BAGCHA TEESTA RANGIT, JAHAN KANCHENDZONGA SEER YEHI HO HAMRO DHANA KO DESH, TAPAWAN HO PYARO SIKKIM INTERLUDE PHULCHAN YEHA AANGANAI MAA, CHAAP , GURAS, SUNAKHARI SWARGASARI SUNDAR DESH KO HAMRO PYARO PYARO JANMAHBHUMI JANHA BAGCHA…… BATASHLE BOKCHAA YAHA, TATHAGAT KO AAMAR WAANI ...

Sikkim closes for a day in support of their CM

A 12-hour bandh call by the supporters of the ruling SDF party was observed today. The bandh was called to protest the burning of Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling's effigy by the Shiv Sena activists on the 11th of September in Siliguri, West Bengal charging CM Chamling with having 'dual nationality. Except for Army and GREF all other Vehicles, as well as shops, were closed. Such a state bandh was last held ten years back. (photographs from Singtam)

Snake like fish caught in Singtam River

The Indian mottled eel, locally known as Raj Bam, was recovered from the Singtam River at Golitar this early morning. The snake-like fish weighed around 7 kg and was four feet long. The local people said that they had never seen this species for so long. Such mysterious-looking marine fish are also sighted from time to time on the river banks, local people added.

Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

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