West Bengal Gets Rs 2,077 Crore Highway Project to Strengthen Siliguri Corridor

The Centre has approved Rs 2,077.18 crore for the four-laning of a 31.02 km section of National Highway 327 in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district, giving a major boost to road connectivity in the region.

The project covers the Bagdogra, Panitanki, Kharibari and Galgalia section of NH 327. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced the approval on September 3, saying the project will improve road connectivity, reduce congestion and strengthen access to Bagdogra Airport and other important centres in the region.

The highway section is part of the Siliguri Corridor, an important road link connecting the northeastern states with the rest of India. The corridor also has links towards Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, making improvements to its road network important for both regional trade and movement of people and goods.

The approved project will involve four-laning of the existing road and construction of supporting infrastructure. The plan includes three major bridges and one Road Over Bridge. Service roads will also be built on both sides of the highway to improve local traffic movement and provide better access to nearby areas.

One of the notable features of the project is the inclusion of five elephant underpasses. The underpasses are intended to allow elephants and other wildlife to cross the highway more safely while reducing the risk of conflicts between vehicles and animals.

The highway upgrade is expected to address congestion in Bagdogra, Naxalbari, Kharibari and Panitanki. These areas experience significant movement of local traffic as well as vehicles travelling towards the wider Siliguri region. Improved road capacity could make travel more efficient and reduce delays on the route.

Better connectivity to Bagdogra Airport is another expected benefit. The airport serves as an important gateway to North Bengal, Sikkim and nearby regions. A wider and better connected highway network could make access to the airport easier for passengers travelling from surrounding towns and districts.

The project is also expected to support the movement of agricultural and horticultural products, tea and other goods produced in North Bengal. Better road links can help local businesses move products to larger markets more efficiently and may reduce transportation time and costs.

The project therefore goes beyond widening a 31.02 km stretch of highway. It combines additional road capacity with bridges, service roads and wildlife crossings along an important regional route.

For the Siliguri region and North Bengal, the project could improve everyday road movement while strengthening links between the Northeast, eastern India and neighbouring countries.