From correspondents in Delhi, India, 06:02 PM IST

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs Thursday approved the construction of a new 52.7-km broad gauge line from Sivok to Rangpo in Sikkim on an investment of Rs.13.39 billion.

Approved as a 'national project', 75 percent of its cost will be provided by the finance ministry, with the remaining amount coming from the gross budgetary support for the railways.

'Rangpo is a township in Sikkim on the border of West Bengal. The new broad gauge line will provide rail connectivity to Sikkim and it would make possible direct movement of freight and passengers from this region to other parts of the country,' an official statement said.

'The work on the project is expected to commence in 2008-09 and is expected to be completed by 2015-16 depending upon the availability of resources,' the statement added.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)