Darjeeling, 25th August: Darjeeling MP Raju Bista met Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to discuss important highway-related issues of Darjeeling and North Bengal region.
He emphasized the need for facilitating the development of Darjeeling More and also for the construction of an alternative to Coronation Bridge. He also necessitated immediate action on developing NH10 and completing the construction of an alternative highway for Kalimpong.
“I am happy to share the news that the development of Darjeeling More has been included in the MoRTH Annual Program for the year 2021-22. Hon’ble Gadkari ji told me that the Ministry will undertake the development of Darjeeling More section from Balason to Sevoke as a 13.4km long elevated 4-lane corridor, at an estimated cost of Rs 1150 crores,” he said in a statement.
Bista further stated that a 1.34 km long alternative to Coronation Bridge will be constructed, for which 50 meters of railway land has been granted on lease by the Group of Ministers. This will help expedite the proposed project, which is set to greatly benefit the people from Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim to connect to the Dooars region.
Regarding the development of NH-10 issues, the Ministry has identified 20 locations for expansion, redevelopment, and building of protection walls at an estimated cost of Rs 800 crores.
On the alternative highway to Kalimpong, work undertaken by NHIDCL for Highway 717-A connecting Kalimpong to Siliguri via Gorubathan has been going on at a brisk pace. Approximately 60-km long alternative highway to Kalimpong is being undertaken in 8-packages and will be completed by April 2023.
As per the information, MP Bista has invited the Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to lay the foundation stone for the new project, which he has kindly agreed to.