Mumbai, September 3: The Indian government has granted approval for the four-laning of a 31.02-kilometer stretch of NH-327, strategically located near the Siliguri Corridor. A budget of ₹2,077.18 crores has been allocated for this project, as announced by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday.
Minister Gadkari shared the news on the social media platform ‘X’, stating, “We have approved ₹2,077.18 crores for the four-laning of the 31.02-kilometer Bagdogra-Panitanki-Kharibari-Galgalia section of NH-327 in Darjeeling district, West Bengal.”
The project will include the construction of three major bridges, one road overbridge (ROB), five elephant underpasses, and service roads on both sides. This development aims to enhance connectivity and ensure safe passage for both people and wildlife.
Located near the strategically important Siliguri Corridor, this project will strengthen connectivity with Northeast India and improve access to Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
The new four-lane road is expected to reduce congestion in Bagdogra, Naxalbari, Kharibari, and Panitanki, while also enhancing connectivity to Bagdogra Airport and key regional centers. Additionally, it will facilitate quicker transportation of agricultural, horticultural, tea, and other local produce to larger markets.
This announcement comes at a time when the West Bengal government is focusing on strengthening infrastructure in North Bengal. Since the Bharatiya Janata Party government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, took office in May this year, efforts have been underway to improve infrastructure in the region.
Adhikari has repeatedly emphasized that enhancing connectivity and infrastructure in North Bengal is among his top priorities. He noted that the previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments had neglected this area, highlighting the need for increased attention now.
The Chief Minister has also stressed the importance of infrastructure development to promote industrial growth in North Bengal, particularly focusing on the “Triple-T” sectors: tea, timber, and tourism.
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