Alternative Melli-Singtam highway
proposed at Rs. 2502 cr
PMGSY Phase-III to upgrade 45 roads at
Rs. 249.51 cr
New roads, 8 bridges at Rs. 96 cr for North Sikkim under Vibrant Village Programme
GANGTOK,: Upgrading road
connectivity in Sikkim is a priority area for the SKM government in the next
five years with allocation of substantial funds, starting this State Budget
2024-25.
In his
Budget address, Chief Minister PS Golay shared that the State government
successfully constructed 22 new roads (23.59 km), upgraded 13 roads (33.59 km)
besides ongoing construction of 350 roads (449.44 km), despite the challenges
of Covid pandemic and October 2023 flood.
An
alternative highway from Melli to Singtam is a major upcoming project in this
new trust for robust road connectivity for Sikkim which is linked with tourism
growth.
“We will
also undertake the construction of the alternate highway from Melli to Singtam,
with an investment of Rs. 2502.74 crore, including Rs. 50 crore for land acquisition.
This new road will reduce the distance between Melli and Singtam from
approximately 30 km to 22.514 km. The project will include 13 bridges totaling
2.55 km and 3 tunnels spanning 4.70 km. The new alignment will provide a
climate-resilient travel route, less vulnerable to landslides and breaches due
to its higher elevation above the Teesta River,” said the Chief Minister in his
Budget speech on Monday.
Golay
noted that climate change and severe weather events are increasingly impacting the
roads in Sikkim with landslides, flooding, and disruptions. “To address these
challenges, our government is incorporating new climate-resilient technologies
into our road sector. We have introduced the State’s first thin white topping
road (cement concrete) along the Indira Bypass, designed to withstand heavy water
logging. If successful, we plan to replicate this model wherever feasible,” he
said.
The State
government is also proposing to construct a two-lane traffic tunnel at
Chirbireytar, Jorethang on the Melli-Jorethang road to address ongoing
landslide issues. We are also planning to restore the perennial subsidence zone
at Sisney using reinforced earth wall technology, said the Chief Minister.
“We are
also keen to attract cutting-edge technology transfers into the road sector. As
mentioned earlier, we have approached leading Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs)
and agencies such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for investments. I am pleased to report
that the ADB’s funding for our road projects is nearing fruition, and we have
made adequate budgetary provisions for this in the current budget.”
“We will
also undertake the upgradation of various roads to tourist destinations in
Sikkim, with substantial funds allocated for the current fiscal year. Once
these projects are completed, they will significantly contribute to our vision
of a ‘Sunaulo Sikkim’,” said the Chief Minister.
Enhancing Rural Road Connectivity in
Sikkim
Regarding
rural road connectivity in Sikkim, the Chief Minister mentioned that through
the PMGSY, the government has successfully linked remote and inaccessible
areas. These roads have also boosted village tourism, including homestays and
village resorts, and facilitated the transportation of agricultural produce to
markets, opening up new business opportunities for the rural population, he
said.
In the
past five years (2019 to 2024), under PMGSY, the government has constructed 183
roads totalling 749.34 km and 51 long-span bridges. Additionally, 31 long-span bridges
sanctioned in 2021 and 2022 for remaining habitations are mostly completed.
“We have
spent Rs. 910.92 crore on these projects. Recognizing the importance of the scheme,
the State government has consistently provided the necessary State Share to
secure the Central Share. Despite the scheme not covering land compensation,
the Sikkim government has compensated landowners for land, damaged houses and
standing properties to ensure fair treatment,” said Golay.
The Chief
Minister informed the House that with Phase I and Phase II of PMGSY nearing completion,
Sikkim has secured approval for PMGSY Phase III, which involves upgrading 45
roads spanning 285.90 km at a cost of Rs 249.51 crore.
Additionally,
under the Vibrant Village Programme, the Government of India has sanctioned
roads spanning 18.73 km and eight long-span bridges at a cost of Rs 96.33 crore
for Mangan district to connect villages near the international border.
While
PMGSY Phases I and II have covered all rural habitations with populations over
250, our government is now preparing a proposal for PMGSY Phase IV to provide
new connectivity to smaller habitations and upgrade existing roads, said Golay.
“Upon
completion of the ongoing and proposed works, every rural habitation in Sikkim
will be connected with all-weather roads, promoting economic growth, health, education
and sustainability in the State’s rural areas,” said the Chief Minister.
