In a major infrastructure push, the Central and State governments have unveiled plans for a 770-km-long mega road corridor connecting the hills of North Bengal to the coastal region of South Bengal. The proposed highway, stretching from Darjeeling to Gangasagar, is expected to significantly transform road connectivity across the state.
Announcing the project, state Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Ajay Poddar said the initiative aims to establish seamless connectivity between the two regions and boost economic integration.
The announcement followed a high-level meeting at Nabanna, the state secretariat, where the minister held detailed discussions with the PWD Chief Engineer and senior officials regarding the blueprint of the project. The corridor is planned to be developed under the supervision of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and will pass through Kishanganj in Bihar and parts of Jharkhand before re-entering West Bengal.
According to officials, the project will involve the expansion and modernisation of several key roads, including the existing NH-55. Plans are also underway to construct a major bridge to ensure seamless connectivity up to Gangasagar, with the possibility of integrating a rail link being explored.
The Minister stated that the project is currently in the planning stage, with work on the route map already underway. He emphasised that the final design would take into account the strategic importance and security considerations of the “Chicken’s Neck” region, a crucial corridor linking mainland India to the Northeast.
Alongside the long-term project, the PWD is prioritising immediate road conditions across the state. The minister announced that construction of new asphalt or permanent roads will be suspended from June 15 to October due to heavy monsoon rainfall, as such work tends to deteriorate quickly and leads to wastage of public funds.
However, maintenance work will continue uninterrupted. The focus during the monsoon months will be on rapid repair of potholes and damaged roads. “The monsoon has arrived. Our primary objective is to quickly fill all potholes and ensure that no accidents occur due to poor road conditions,” the minister said, directing officials to carry out the work on a war footing.
PWD sources indicated that the monsoon period will be utilised to prepare for upcoming infrastructure projects. The department has set a target to commence construction of approximately 90 new roads starting in October. Officials have been instructed to complete Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), secure administrative approvals, and finalise the tendering process in advance.
Learning from past delays caused by incomplete DPRs, the department is now focusing on completing all preparatory work before execution begins. The Minister also stressed the need for transparency in the tendering process and reiterated a strict zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.
He assured that there would be no shortage of funds for the department and encouraged officials to work independently and efficiently. “Our goal is to change public perception of the PWD. We are determined to transform the condition of the state’s roads within the next seven months,” he added.
Experts believe that if the Darjeeling-to-Gangasagar corridor materialises, it could open new avenues for tourism, trade, and economic growth, while significantly strengthening connectivity between North and South Bengal.
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