Siliguri, 07th January: Darjeeling MP Raju Bista laid the foundation for a Road Over Bridge (ROB) at the Rangapani railway level crossing in Siliguri on Wednesday. The project, costing ₹70 crore, has now officially begun.
The level crossing on the Matigara-Chathat state road had long caused difficulties for the public. Ambulances carrying critically ill or pregnant patients traveling to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) often faced long delays due to frequent train traffic. With the increase in trains on the NJP route, the crossing remained closed most of the time, creating severe inconvenience for commuters. Locals expressed happiness at the commencement of the overbridge work.
The foundation-laying ceremony was attended by two BJP MLAs and the DRM of the Katihar division. The DRM stated that the overbridge is expected to be completed within the next one and a half years.
MP Raju Bista credited the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister for their efforts in making the project possible. He said the ₹70 crore overbridge will benefit people from Kharibari, Phasidewa, Siliguri, Matigara, and Fulbari.
He criticized the West Bengal government for delaying the work and alleged that it focused on Rohingya-related issues instead of local development. Bista also took a dig at Abhishek Banerjee, saying he should focus on Bangladesh rather than the 2026 elections in Bengal.