New Delhi: The Centre has approved ₹2,077.18 crore for four-laning of the 31.02-km Bagdogra–Panitanki–Kharibari–Galgalia section of National Highway 327 in West Bengal, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said.
The project will include construction of three major bridges, one Road Over Bridge (ROB), five elephant underpasses and service roads on both sides of the highway.
The elephant underpasses are planned to provide safer wildlife crossings along the corridor while the service roads and additional highway capacity are expected to improve local traffic movement.
“Located along the strategically vital Siliguri Corridor, the project will strengthen connectivity to Northeast India and improve access towards Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh,” Gadkari said.
The Siliguri Corridor serves as a critical land link connecting the northeastern states with the rest of India.
According to Gadkari, the four-laning project will also help decongest Bagdogra, Naxalbari, Kharibari and Panitanki and improve connectivity to Bagdogra Airport and other regional centres.
He said the upgraded highway would enable faster movement of agricultural and horticultural produce, tea and other locally produced goods to larger markets.
The project is expected to strengthen regional road connectivity while improving passenger and freight movement along the strategically important corridor.
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