The Centre approved Rs 1,175.59 crore for a six-lane bridge over the Teesta river in Bengal’s Sevoke on Wednesday. Union minister Nitin Gadkari said, "The proposed bridge will significantly strengthen connectivity between Sikkim, the North-Eastern states and the Siliguri Corridor." This project aims to boost trade and ease regional traffic.
Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday announced that the Centre has approved Rs 1,175.59 crore for the construction of a six-lane bridge over the Teesta river at Sevoke in Bengal's Darjeeling district.
The proposed bridge, which will be 6.91 km long including its approaches, will be constructed on NH-10, formerly known as NH-31, Gadkari wrote on X.
The project is aimed at strengthening road connectivity between Sikkim, the northeastern states and the strategically important Siliguri Corridor, said the minister.
"The proposed bridge will significantly strengthen connectivity between Sikkim, the North-Eastern states and the Siliguri Corridor," Gadkari wrote.
Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari welcomed the Centre's sanction, saying the bridge was a "crucial necessity" given the "strategic significance of the Siliguri Corridor and the ecological demands of the terrain".
In a post on X, he said the project would "ensure smoother passenger and freight transit, strengthen regional supply chains toward North Bengal, Sikkim and the entire North-East and open new avenues of economic development for local communities".
Gadkari said the project would facilitate smoother movement of both passengers and freight and support economic activity across the region.
The bridge is also expected to contribute to regional integration and boost trade and commerce, tourism and logistics, the minister said.
Improved road infrastructure would help reduce travel time and ease congestion, while making the movement of goods and services more efficient, said Gadkari.
The project, he added, would benefit local communities and businesses while contributing to the wider regional economy.
"Improved road infrastructure and enhanced connectivity will help reduce travel time, ease congestion and improve the efficiency of movement of goods and services," Gadkari said.
The Sevoke area, located along the Teesta river in the Darjeeling district, is an important road link towards Sikkim and the northeastern region.
NH-10 connects the Siliguri area with Sikkim and passes through the mountainous terrain of northern West Bengal.
The proposed bridge and its approaches are expected to provide an upgraded road link along the route and improve the movement of traffic through the region.
Gadkari said the project would contribute to "sustained socio-economic development" across the region, while strengthening connectivity for passengers and freight.