West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata and Siliguri, October 1: The Centre has approved ₹1,175.59 crore for the construction of a new six lane bridge over the Teesta River at Sevoke in Darjeeling district. The 6.91 kilometre project will be built along National Highway 10 and is expected to significantly strengthen road connectivity between North Bengal, Sikkim, the Siliguri Corridor and the northeastern states.

The project was announced by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who said the proposed bridge would strengthen connectivity between Sikkim, the northeastern states and the strategically important Siliguri Corridor. The new infrastructure is expected to facilitate smoother movement of passengers and freight while supporting trade, tourism and logistics across the region.

The proposed bridge has been in the pipeline for some time and is expected to provide an alternative to the historic Coronation Bridge at Sevoke. The existing bridge, commissioned in 1941, has long served as an important crossing over the Teesta on the route towards Sikkim. The new six lane structure is planned as a major modern infrastructure upgrade for the region.

The importance of the project goes beyond simply adding another bridge to the highway network. National Highway 10 is one of the principal road links connecting the Siliguri area with Sikkim. The route also plays an important role in the movement of goods and passengers towards the northeastern region. A larger and more modern bridge at Sevoke is therefore expected to improve the capacity and efficiency of this important transport corridor.

The Centre's announcement, improved road infrastructure is expected to reduce travel time and ease congestion. Smoother movement of freight could also help businesses by improving the efficiency of supply chains connecting North Bengal with Sikkim and the wider Northeast. The project is consequently being viewed as an infrastructure investment with implications for transportation, logistics, tourism and regional commerce.

The project also assumes importance because of the strategic location of the Siliguri Corridor, through which road connectivity between mainland India and the northeastern states is maintained. Strengthening infrastructure around this corridor is expected to improve the resilience and capacity of regional transportation networks.

West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari welcomed the Centre's approval and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. In a statement, he highlighted the strategic importance of the Siliguri Corridor and the need for a durable high capacity crossing over the Teesta in the region's challenging terrain.

Adhikari also said that the modernisation of NH 10 would strengthen connectivity with North Bengal, Sikkim and the northeastern states. According to his statement, the improved infrastructure could facilitate passenger and freight movement while creating opportunities for local economic and social development.

The project is also expected to have implications for tourism in the region. North Bengal and Sikkim attract large numbers of tourists and better road infrastructure can help improve the movement of visitors as well as goods and essential supplies. Improved connectivity can also support businesses dependent on tourism and logistics.

The approved bridge project is part of a broader push to upgrade road infrastructure in the region. The Union government has also announced other major connectivity initiatives involving the Siliguri area and the Northeast, underlining the importance of improving transport links across the region.

For the state government, implementation will now be an important phase. The project will require the necessary construction, environmental and other statutory processes before work can progress. Available project documents indicate that the bridge and approaches are being planned as a major engineering project across the Teesta at Sevoke.

The Centre's ₹1,175.59 crore approval therefore marks a significant step forward for the proposed six lane Teesta crossing. Once completed, the new bridge is expected to increase road capacity at Sevoke, improve the movement of passengers and freight and strengthen the wider transportation network connecting North Bengal, Sikkim and the Northeast.

For residents, businesses, transport operators and travellers using NH 10, the project could eventually mean better connectivity and improved movement along one of the region's most important road routes. Its wider impact, however, will depend on timely execution and the successful completion of the required construction and clearance processes.