ANNUAL PLAN 2002-03
Roads & Bridges Department

DEMAND NO. 35

A. INTRODUCTION

a. All the transportation of goods and passengers of the State is through road transportation. The State is land locked and bounded by, foreign countries except in the South where it is bordered by Darjeeling District of West Bengal. A helicopter flight once a day from Gangtok to Bagdogra and back, caters the needs of a very small fraction of passengers. Unlike in other states there is no Railways, Airways, to share the responsibility of transportation of goods and passengers. Therefore, the road network is the primary infrastructure, for the development of the State and Welfare of the citizens. The terrain of the State and the climatic condition, render the road network vulnerable to perpetual slides at one point or other. There are also, due to same reasons, a number of streams and rivulets crossing the road necessitating a large number of cross over like bridges, culverts etc. The result is the high cost of construction and maintenance.

b. To understand the type of activities, the Road Sector has been undertaking in the past few Five Year Plans, it is necessary to go back to the methodology of road constructions followed in the first Seven Year Plan and subsequent three Five Year Plans.

c. When the Development Plans were launched in Sikkim too, in very modest way, there were no vehicular roads in Sikkim except the Rangpo-Gangtok road (which too was narrow) and a few kilometres of road around Gangtok. The main towns were connected with mule track, whereon, jeeps used to ply with great difficulty.

d. With the modest investment available at that time and with a view to cover as many areas as possible the need of the hour was to construct low cost roads which were fit for smaller vehicles. This meant construction of narrow roads with steeper gradient than that of present roads and construction of bridges of lower tonnage capacity.

e. With the steep increase in the volume of passengers and goods in subsequent years the need to operate heavier vehicles arose.

(i) Therefore the low cost roads already constructed needed widening, giving protection works to them, surfacing and finally carpeting. The works under this activity are categorised under "Removal of Deficiencies".

(ii) There was need to replace the old bridges, culverts or causeways existing along these low cost roads with higher axle load bearing bridges and culverts. The works under this activity are categorised under the head, "Replacement".

B. The construction of new roads, from the Fifth Five Year Plans, were undertaken keeping the specifications in consonance with the roads prevalent in the other hilly parts of the country. It meant the road constructed are wider with negotiable gradient for the heavy axle load vehicles and bridges of higher axle load bearing capacity. The sequence of construction, however, is (i) formation cutting (ii) providing protection walls, and water bound macadam surface and finally (iii) carpeting. These works under this category are categorised under "Expansion".

Many of these new roads taken in hand still remain to be carpeted. Some of these roads completed upto the earthen formation in recent past have to be provided with W BM base, protection and proper drainage. Some of the roads which were carpeted years back have their surfaces weakened due to the movement of heavy vehicles and constant rainfall. The earthen roads need to be brought to the WBM level and then carpeting undertaken thereon. The roads which are in WBM level need to be carpeted. The old carpeted road specially those which are important roads having higher density of traffic, tourist importance etc. are proposed to be resurfaced. The drainage is not only the ornaments of the road but also is the guard against potholes and wear tear from water logging. Therefore, the proper drainage of the roads are considered an important element while framing the estimates for surface strengthening.

C. A total outlay of Rs 4510 lakhs has been approved during 2002-2003 for Roads & Bridges Department. The Sub head wise proposals are as under.

1. DIRECTION AND ADMINISTRATION                                                      Rs 114.15 lakhs
Revenue – 3054-8—001 (1) & 004                                                           Rs 114.15 lakhs

The above outlay is required to cover the establishment overhead on the infrastructure and manpower required for the Planning and implementation of the Plan Projects.

2. RESEARCH & SURVEY, INVESTIGATION PLANNING & LAB.                        Rs 22.00 lakhs
Revenue – 3054-80-001(1) & 004                                                                       Rs 22.00 lakhs

The approved outlay is intended to cover the cost of carrying out preliminary and final survey of new roads alignments, It would also be used for other survey and investigation works like Soil investigation which are necessary before the planning and execution of the projects.

3. REMOVAL OF DEFICIENCIES                                                                        Rs 440.00 lakhs
Capital: 5054-04.337-60.00.71                                                                          Rs 440.00 lakhs

This scheme essentially comprises three components viz. upgradation and strengthening of roads, protection and slope treatment and development of drainage system in different Roads. The roads which have deficient width deficient surface, unstable slope and deficient drainage would be covered under this Sub Head for upgradation.

Following carpeting works are tendered and are commenced in the 3^rd qtr. Of 2002-03 which will be continued in the next financial year.

1. Sang – Dipudara Road 14 Kms 2. Ravangla – Yangang Road 16 Kms 3. Dikchu – Sangkalang – Mangan Road 22 Kms 4. Singtam – Pabong – Tarku Road 18 Kms 5. Pelling – Dentam Road   6. Melli – Phong Road 26 Kms 7. Gyalshing – Sakyong Road 6 Kms 8. Sangkalang – Bey – Sakyong Road 6 Kms 9. Gangtok – Rumtek – Bhusuk – Assam Road 21 Kms 10. Dentam – Utteray Road 10 Kms 11. Penlong – Tintek Road 9 Kms 12. Penlong Lingdok Road 3 Kms 13. Pangthang – Lingdok 7 Kms 14. Gangtok – Rumtek – Sang Road. 4 Kms   162 Kms

 

4. EXPANSION/LINK ROADS                                           Rs 883.85 lakhs
Capital: 5054-04.337-60.00.73                                       Rs 883.85 lakhs

There are some roads which are constructed upto the earthen level under this activity and which need to be taken forward upto WBM level. There are also some roads which are completed upto WBM standard which need to be completed. The bridges in the roads constructed under this programme need to be laid. All these programmes are included under the need.

Following construction of new roads commenced in the year 2000-01 are under progress in 2002-03.

1. I.B. Golai to Peku road 2 Kms 2. Borong to Tatopani road 1 Km. 3. Legship – Bermoik road 6 Kms 4. Sribadam – Deythang road 0.50 Kms 5. Kyongsa – Chongzong Road 0.60 Kms 6. Naku – Chumbong Road 2.50 Kms 7. Singyang Road 2.50 Kms. 8. Geyzing Diversion Road 0.66 Kms 9. Pabyuk Gumpa Road 3 Kms 10. Kopitar Road 0.50 Kms 11. Harabotey Road 1 Km. 12. Bop Road 1 Km. 13. Pakchey Road 0.50 Kms 14. Phalidara Road 0.50 Kms 15. Karung Golai to Satam Road 1 Km. 16. Namchi – Rong – Sumbuk Road 2 Kms 17. Getang Karmatar Road. 1 Km. 18. Kholaghari Chiyadara Road 0.45 Kms   26.71 Kms

 

Under this scheme following carpeting works are tendered which will commence in 3^rd qtr of 2002-03 and will be continued in 2003-04.

1. Reshi – Rinchenpong Road 13 Kms 2. Khamdong – Lingzey – Tintek 26 Kms 3. Penlong – Tintek 11 Kms 4. Chewribotey – Pendam 6 Kms 5. Rongli – Rorathang 11 Kms 6. Manpur – Sumbuk – Rong. 14 Kms 7. Melli – Turuk – Sadam Bhanjyang 17 Jns 8. Namchi – Vok 15 Kms 9. Ravongla – Zarong 11 Kms 10. Makha – Yangang 10 Kms 11. Yangang – Pathing – Rangang 4 Kms 12. Soreng – Sombaria 10 Kms 13. Sombaria - Peureytar 7 Kms   155 Kms

5. CONST. OF NEW ROADS.                                                Rs 1000.00 lakhs
Capital – 5054-04-337-60.00-82                                         Rs 1000.00 lakhs

Under this scheme new roads are constructed to provide connectivity to remote villages. The nature of activities involved includes road cutting, construction of corss drainage works wherever required, slope stabilisation and development of drainage system.

Following schemes are tendered and will commence in the 3^rd quarter of this financial year and will be continued in the year 2003-04.

1. Construction of LR from Labdang-Karjee-Phamtam 28 Kms 2. Construction of LR from Thangling to Lower Dodak 2 Kms 3. LR from Saili Golai to Lower Rumbuk School 1.54 Kms 4. LR from Bhareng to Hilltop 3 Kms 5. Ben Thalabari to Mangley – Simchuthang 15 Kms 6. LR from Namchi – Damthang Rd to Jawnbari Jr. High School - Chiyadara 8 Kms

 

Some more link roads are to be constructed and to be completed in the 10^th Plan and they are:

1. Link road between Khaniserbong to Mabong.

2. Link road starting from the appropriate point to Yangang – Rangrang road to Lingmo via Majuwa School.

3. Sangmo to Satam

4. Approach road to Lingdum

5. Link Road joining Peku to V.C. Ganju Lama Road.

6. Assangthang to Jorethang.

7. Wok School to Chamchey.

8. Lalturning Golai to Middle Camp.

9. Extension of Road from Tinkitam to village of Baichung.

10. Yangang to Bandey School.

11. Uttarey to Jhankri Dunga

12. Nambu to Upper Rimbik

13. Extension of Phamphok Road.

14. Marchak to Tumlabong.

15. Extension of Sang Khola Zingla road at Sang Martam road at Najitam.

Survey and estimates whenever are ready that would be processed for sanction. It is expected that one or two of these would be started at the fag end of this financial year.

6. REPLACEMENT                                                     Rs 86.00 lakhs
Capital 5054-04-337-60.00.72                                  Rs 86.00 lakhs

Under this head weak bridges are proposed to be replaced by bridges capable to sustain vehicular load of heavy axle loads. Also temporary bridges are proposed to be made to permanent bridges. The weak pavements are proposed to strengthen under this programme.

Under this programme it is expected that replacement of Rangpo bridge also which was constructed year back which is of low load carrying capacity would be started.

7. ADDITIONAL FACILITIES                                      Rs 70.00 lakhs
Capital head: 5054-04-337-60.00.75                        Rs 70.00 lakhs

Under this head development of supporting infrastructure such as storage facilities Mechanical Workshop and their infrastructure and other back up facilities would be covered.

8. MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENTS                         Rs 140.00 lakhs
Capital head: 5054-04-337-05.052.00.71                  Rs 140.00 lakhs

The above allocation has been kept essentially to augment the Department’s fleet of Machineries comprising bulldozers, road rollers.

Road machinery such as Bulldozer, loaders etc. are required for new construction of road and to maintain only mode of transportation and communication function smoothly. The existing bulldozers of the department are far less than the actual requirement and also most of them are quite old. Keeping in view of the overall financial aspects it has been proposed to replace one oldest bulldozer by a new one during 2002-03.

Excavator cum loader is found very useful especially during monsoon to clear road blockage due to minor land slides. Since the machine is tyre mounted its mobility from one place to another is easy without damaging the carpeted roads. At present we have three such machines It is proposed to procure one more for West Division. Carpetting of State roads is being taken up on priority in large scale for which quite a large scale for which quite a large numbers of Road Rollers are required. It is proposed to maintain the fleet of Road Rollers by replacing 4 (four) very Road Rolelrs to cope with the requirement of carpeting works.

Since most of the existing bulldozers are old and need updating and renovation replacement of some major parts especially in the under carriage system is very essential. The renovation of these bulldozers will enhance the Capital value of the Bulldozers. There are also other machineries like wheel loaders, road rollers which are also of old age and they need to be upgradaded by way of major repairs. Provision for this has also been kept.

1. Bulldozer D50 (1 No) 55.00 lakhs 2. Excavator cum loader (1 No) 25.00 lakhs 3. 8/10 Road Roller (4 Nos.) 32.00 lakhs 4. Major spare parts for Bulldozers, road rollers, Air compressors etc. 28.00 lakhs TOTAL 140.00 lakhs

9. MAJOR REPAIRS & RENOVATION:                       Rs 250.00 lakhs
Capital: 3054-04.337-60.00.73                                   Rs 250.00 lakhs

The topography of the State is very pronounced and the extent of damages that occur during the monsoon need not be emphasized. Such damages occur in the weak stretches of different roads and such weak stretches abroad in each road of Sikkim. The slope of these weak stretches need to be strengthened and wherever renovations are required, the expenditure on such renovation and slope strengthening are covered under this head.

10. SURFACING STRENGTHENING                             Rs 108.00 lakhs
Capital Head: 5054-04.337-60.00.81                         Rs 60.00 lakhs

11. NABARD                                                                 Rs 100.00 lakhs
Capital: 5054-04-337-60.60.00.79                              Rs 100.00 lakhs

Under this scheme carpeting of following roads were taken up in 2001-02 and are continued in this financial year also.

1. Widening & Carpetting of Ranipool Rumtek Road

2. Carpetting of Legship Tashiding Road.

3. Carpetting of Ranka Sichey Road

4. Carpetting of Tulshi Ram Kashyap Marg.

5. Carpetting of Rimbi Khechiperi Road.

12. AIRPORT                                                          Rs 996.00 lakhs
Capital: 5053-02.102-60.00.71                              Rs 996.00 lakhs

The DPR submitted by Airport Authority of India is preliminary one and a lot of issues are required to be discussed before it can be finalized. Therefore, a provision of Rs 9.96 crores provided in the current Annual Plan would not be spent fully. Since this grant can be utilized within a period of five years, the unspent money can be rolled over to the next Annual Plan.

13. DPR – NH 31A                                                 Rs 300.00 lakhs
Revenue: 3054-01.800-60.00.71                         Rs 300.00 lakhs

Government of Sikkim has appointed Sikkim Industrial Development & Investment Corporation Limited (SIDICO) as nodal agency for undertaking studies to improve National Highway 31A, who in turn signed a MoU with Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited (IL&FS) to assess in the development of infrastructure projects. Initially the partnership focus on improving road connectivity between Gangtok and the plains, the project would extend to Nathula.

IL&FS will assess in preparing a detailed project report r this road including suggesting options for its implementation and financing. Prior to undertaking the project IL&FS will do a detailed feasibility study to assess the potential of implementing the project on a commercial format which requires high quality project documentation to enable project to meet bankability requirements.

ABSTRACT

Amount in Lakhs Sl. No. Schemes Approved Outlay for 2002-03 Of which Capital Content 1. Direction & Administration and 114.15   2. Research & Survey, Investigation Planning & Lab 22.00   3. Removal of Deficiencies 440.00 440.00 4. Expansion/ Link roads 883.85 883.85 5. Const. Of New Roads 1000.00 1000.00 6. Replacement 86.00 86.00 7. Additional Facilities 70.00 70.00 8. Machineries & Equipment 140.00 140.00 9. Major Repairs & Renovation 250.00 - 10. Surface strengthening 108.00 108.00 11. NABARD 100.00 100.00 12. Airport 996.00 996.00 13. DPR for NH-31A 300.00       4510.00 3823.85