Extract taken from Sikkim Herald vide dated: July 08,2008, Tuesday.

MoU to be signed for construction of underground Expressway

New Delhi, July 4: An agreement in the form of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed on 15th July 2008 at Gangtok between the Government of Sikkim and the Star Universal Resource Company for construction of underground Expressway. This follows the meeting of the Chief Minister, Mr. Pawan Chamling with the Union Minister of DoNER, Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar at his residence in New Delhi on July 4, 2008. The MoU will be signed in the presence of the Union Minister of DoNER, Government of India and the Chief Minister of Sikkim.

The proposed underground Expressway from eastern portion of Coronation Bridge (Bagh Pool) at Sevoke in West Bengal connecting it directly to Gangtok, a distance of 53 kms by tunnels and bridge, will be the first of its kind in the region. There is another proposal to construct a set of tunnels and bridges from Gangtok to Nathula, a distance of 35 kms.

It is proposed that two pairs of tunnels of about 100 sq.mtr. area each, will be constructed. One pair will be for road connectivity and the other pair of tunnels will carry one standard broad gauge railway track in each tunnel. The project is to be undertaken on the BOT basis for construction and maintenance of the Expressway for a period of 45 years from the date of signing of Agreement. Under the standard PPP program, the project has already been approved in the principle by the Ministry of DoNER, Government of India.

The Expressway, once operational, will prove a great boon for the people of Sikkim. The 31A National Highway is often at the mercy of natural calamities and other disturbances along the border creating untold suffering for the people of Sikkim, both in the transportation of essential goods and also for normal movement of people.

The construction company ‘Star Universal Resource Company’ is a leading international engineering, financing, construction and service conglomerate, well positioned in the fast-growing segment of the third world economies. Presently working in seventeen countries in North and South America, Europe, Middle East, South Korea, Thailand, Iraq, Afghanistan and other South Asian Countries.

The State Government under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Pawan Chamling has created durable public facilities in the State. The Expressway will also boost the tourism industry in the State to a great extent, as per press release received from Additional Secretary, to the Chief Minister, Camp, New Delhi.