Rs. 129 crore Ranipool taxi stand redevelopment project to begin this month

ISABELLA GURUNG

GANGTOK, : The long-awaited Ranipool taxi stand redevelopment project under the Sikkim Integrated Urban Development Project (SIUDP) is set to begin this September, with the Urban Development Department (UDD) stating that construction will commence across project sites following the end of the monsoon-related excavation restriction.

While visiting the site at Ranipool taxi stand today, Urban Development commissioner and secretary Jitendra Singh Raje said the Ranipool project, estimated at Rs 128.73 crore, is part of the larger SIUDP, an approximately Rs 2,000-crore initiative of the State government aimed at improving urban infrastructure across the State.

Under SIUDP, around seven transit hubs with commercial complexes are being taken up along with sewerage, sanitation and water supply projects in various towns.

According to Raje, the Ranipool transit hub will comprise a seven-storey parking facility spread over approximately 19,485 square metres. The facility will accommodate around 201 four-wheelers and 46 heavy vehicles.

The project will also include commercial shops, cafeteria, public amenities and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.

“The main issue here has been the long-standing taxi stand problem. It was a very congested taxi stand and there was not even proper space to park taxis. Keeping this in mind, under the directions of the State government, the Urban Development Department started this project,” he said.

Raje said the project is being funded through a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with the loan agreement signed in December 2023 and funds released by the ADB in May 2026.

He explained that projects funded through multilateral financial institutions are required to comply with several conditions before construction can begin.

“Everyone should understand that for any project we fund through financial institutions, we have to abide by their conditions. Whether it is a bank or any other financial institution, we have to comply with whatever conditions they set,” he said.

Following the loan agreement, an ADB mission team conducted site visits and directed that all project sites be properly barricaded and secured before construction. Raje said the measure was necessary for public safety and to ensure clear access for contractors.

Addressing concerns over the alleged delay or stalling of the project, Raje said there had been no such delay, and that the project had been progressing through the required procedures.

He pointed out that the UDD had prohibited excavation work from May 1 to August 31 in view of the monsoon and public safety concerns.

“Now that the rainy season is over and the notification period has ended, work across all the sites will commence starting this September,” Raje said.

He added that the project involved several procedural requirements, including environmental clearances, resettlement-related measures and arrangements for sewerage treatment facilities.

Raje further said that, anticipating the parking difficulties at Ranipool during construction, the department had coordinated with the Traffic Police and identified an alternative parking facility near New Road, Marchak.

“Seeing the specific challenges in Ranipool, back in December itself we coordinated with the Traffic Police and arranged an alternative parking facility near New Road, Marchak, where people can park. The Traffic Department has already cleared this,” he said.

He acknowledged that construction of a project of this scale could cause temporary inconvenience to the public but said the long-term objective was to address parking and mobility issues in Ranipool and other towns.

“During development, there may be slight temporary inconveniences because constructing a project of this scale takes time. But once this major project is complete, Ranipool's parking issues will be resolved,” he said.

The Ranipool project is among several urban infrastructure projects being developed under SIUDP, with similar parking facilities planned at Tadong, Singtam, Pakyong, Soreng and Gyalshing.

Raje described the initiative as a “model and future-ready project”, stating that the infrastructure would go beyond parking and include commercial facilities and EV infrastructure.

He also said the Ranipool complex has been planned with future connectivity in mind, including the proposed integration of a ropeway station.

“A major cable car station will also be integrated into this complex. Planning takes time because we have to ensure public safety and assess the geo-stability of the area. Once the cable car is operational in the future, it will integrate directly into this parking complex,” he said.

Raje urged the public not to rely on rumours regarding the status of the project and said the department had been providing updates on the project through press releases and press conferences.

“Our effort is to ensure that the public receives direct and accurate information about the work being done,” he said.

He stated that the overall SIUDP project has a seven-year timeline, with construction expected to be completed within three years and the remaining four years allocated for operation and maintenance.