Massive road boost for Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars: MP Raju Bista reviews Rs 50,000 Cr+ highway projects

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, along with Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta, held a comprehensive review meeting in New Delhi. The meeting, which saw the participation of senior officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), focused on the status of ongoing and upcoming highway projects across the Darjeeling hills, Terai, and Dooars regions.

MP Raju Bista said several major projects that are already underway. Among them is the development of National Highway 717A to Kalimpong, which has been allocated an estimated Rs 2,600 crore. Another crucial project is the Balason-Sevoke Army Cantonment Elevated Highway Corridor, set to be constructed at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore. The redevelopment of NH10, a key highway linking Siliguri to Sikkim, has been handed over to NHIDCL for quicker repair and expansion. This project has a budget of Rs 800 crore.

Similarly, the NH110 (earlier NH55), which leads directly to Darjeeling, has also been assigned to NHIDCL for similar upgrades. According to the review, land acquisition has already begun for the Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway, which has an estimated investment of Rs 27,000 crore. Another mega project, the Siliguri-Kharagpur Economic Corridor (EC-14) or Siliguri-Kharagpur Expressway, has commenced with a budget of Rs 10,247 crore.

During the meeting, Raju Bista also discussed projects that have received approval and are now awaiting final construction clearances. These include the four-laning of the Siliguri–Fulbari Road with a proposed cost of Rs 750 crore, the Siliguri Ring Road at Rs 3,500 crore, the Ambari-Falakata four-lane highway at Rs 761 crore, and the Sevoke Army Cantt to Sevoke Bazar Elevated Highway Corridor with a budget of Rs 1,400 crore. Another significant addition is the planned alternative to the historic Coronation Bridge, which will be developed at a cost of Rs 1,100 crore.

Looking forward, the government is also planning several new highway proposals for the region. These include an alternative highway to Darjeeling via Balason, a highway connecting Darjeeling to Teesta via Lebong and Dabai Pani, and the Teesta Bazaar to Chalsa Highway. These new projects aim to offer smoother travel, reduce congestion, and open new economic opportunities for remote areas in the hills and plains.

Speaking after the meeting, MP Raju Bista said, “The timely completion of these projects will not only improve road connectivity in Darjeeling, Terai, and Dooars but also play a big role in the larger goal of building a developed India by 2047, as envisioned by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji.”

Bista also expressed his gratitude to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari and MoS Shri Ajay Tamta for their continued support and commitment to the region. He noted that the central government has been giving special focus to North Bengal, and these developments will bring long-term benefits for local people and businesses.

These infrastructure projects, once completed, are expected to improve travel time, boost tourism, ease the transport of goods, and promote regional growth. For the people of Darjeeling, Terai, and Dooars, these projects promise better roads, more job opportunities, and a stronger connection to the rest of the country.