Gadkari Unveils Rs 2,077 Initiative to Enhance Siliguri Corridor with Bridges and Elephant Underpasses
Siliguri Corridor is set for a significant upgrade with the Indian government approving a Rs 2,077.18-crore project to expand the 31.02-km NH-327 into a four-lane highway. This stretch connects Bagdogra in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district to Galgalia in Bihar’s Kishanganj. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the approval on Thursday, detailing that the project will include three major bridges, a road over bridge, five elephant underpasses, and service roads on both sides of the highway.
The project aims to enhance connectivity along the strategically important Siliguri Corridor, improving access to the Northeast and neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Gadkari noted that the four-laning will alleviate congestion in Bagdogra, Naxalbari, Kharibari, and Panitanki, while also enhancing connectivity to Bagdogra Airport and other key regional centers. The upgraded highway is expected to facilitate the faster movement of agricultural, horticultural, tea, and other local produce to larger markets. The inclusion of elephant underpasses is designed to ensure safer wildlife movement along the route.
Strengthening Northeast
The project encompasses a crucial section of the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow land strip that separates Nepal from Bangladesh. At its narrowest point, the corridor is less than 20 km wide and serves as the only road and rail link connecting mainland India with the Northeast. The government is focused on bolstering infrastructure along this vital land bridge, which connects to states including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
Improved road connectivity is anticipated to expedite the transportation of agricultural, horticultural, and tea products from North Bengal to larger markets, benefiting local producers and businesses. This highway project aligns with the government’s broader initiative to enhance infrastructure in north Bengal. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has prioritized improving connectivity and infrastructure in the region, particularly to support industrial growth in the “Triple-T” sectors of tea, timber, and tourism.
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