CCEA clears Rs 31 bn highway widening project

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) cleared a Rs 3,120 crore project for four-laning of the 155 km Hoshpukur-Falakata-Salsalabari section of National Highway-31D in West Bengal. The project cost includes the cost of Rs 907.60 crore towards land acquisition, re-settlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities. The districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Coochbihar in West Bengal are covered under this project. The project, which is covered under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase II, would be implemented on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer basis in build, Operate and transfer mode of delivery. Besides improving infrastructure in West Bengal, it would also reduce the time and cost of travel for traffic, particularly heavy traffic, plying on NH-31D between Ghoshpukur, Falakata and Salsalabari. This stretch is a part of East-West corridor envisaged under NHDP-Phase II, and is a vital link for connectivity to North East. The socio-economic condition of the region may improve from this project and it would increase employment potential for local labourers.