The ministry of railways sanctioned conducting the final location survey of a proposed new railway line in Sikkim. The planned route will connect Melli to Dentam via Jorethang and Legship, aiming to enhance rail connectivity within the state.The survey, approved at a cost of almost Rs 2.25 crore has been commissioned by railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in response to a proposal and long-standing demand raised by Sikkim’s Lok Sabha MP, Dr Indra Hang Subba, according to ET.This proposal, aimed to bring the southern and western regions of Sikkim onto the national railway grid, is a direct outcome of a long-standing demand from local stakeholders.The proposed route, estimated to extend 75 km, seeks to connect Dentam, a remote town near the Indo-Nepal border at Chiwabhanjyang, with the rest of the country. The line is envisioned as an extension of the ongoing Sivok–Rangpo railway project, which is expected to be operational by 2027.Melli, a crucial gateway to South and West Sikkim, is expected to serve as the junction point for this new line, ensuring a smooth link between Sikkim’s hinterlands and the national rail network.The FLS will frame a detailed technical and feasibility plan to guide the final alignment, engineering design and cost outlook for the project.Officials said that the new line is expected to boost tourism, improve trade, and generate employment in Gyalshing and other areas along the route. Once completed, it will offer a major lifeline for the people of west Sikkim by easing the movement of goods and people in the hilly terrain.Tenders for executing the survey are expected to float shortly.