Bengal Transfers Seven Highway Projects Near Siliguri Corridor

29 May 2026 CW Team

The projects include major stretches such as NH-31, NH-33 and NH-312, along with the Sevok–Coronation Bridge route, the Hasimara–Jaigaon corridor and the Changrabandha connectivity project. Officials said the transfer addresses a long-pending deadlock over highway expansion and infrastructure clearances that had delayed work for nearly a year. Central management is expected to streamline land acquisition, environmental clearances and contractor mobilisation.

The projects are expected to significantly strengthen connectivity across North Bengal while improving road access to border areas adjoining Bangladesh, Bhutan and the Northeast region. The Siliguri Corridor, commonly called the Chicken's Neck, is a narrow 22 km-wide land strip in northern West Bengal that connects mainland India to the eight northeastern states. Its location between Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh gives the corridor major military and logistical importance.

Experts believe enhanced highway connectivity will improve defence mobility, railway infrastructure support, border surveillance and trade movement, while also boosting economic activity in Darjeeling, the Dooars and adjoining border districts. The handover signals a shift to centralised project management aimed at faster execution and closer coordination with border security agencies. Implementation timelines and funding arrangements will be set by the central agencies and state authorities through joint reviews.

Bengal government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has decided to hand over seven key national highway stretches near the Siliguri Corridor to central agencies for faster infrastructure development. Following in-principle approval from Nabanna, responsibility for the projects will shift to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), which will assume oversight and execution roles. The move is intended to resolve procedural bottlenecks and accelerate approvals that have hindered progress. The projects include major stretches such as NH-31, NH-33 and NH-312, along with the Sevok–Coronation Bridge route, the Hasimara–Jaigaon corridor and the Changrabandha connectivity project. Officials said the transfer addresses a long-pending deadlock over highway expansion and infrastructure clearances that had delayed work for nearly a year. Central management is expected to streamline land acquisition, environmental clearances and contractor mobilisation. The projects are expected to significantly strengthen connectivity across North Bengal while improving road access to border areas adjoining Bangladesh, Bhutan and the Northeast region. The Siliguri Corridor, commonly called the Chicken's Neck, is a narrow 22 km-wide land strip in northern West Bengal that connects mainland India to the eight northeastern states. Its location between Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh gives the corridor major military and logistical importance. Experts believe enhanced highway connectivity will improve defence mobility, railway infrastructure support, border surveillance and trade movement, while also boosting economic activity in Darjeeling, the Dooars and adjoining border districts. The handover signals a shift to centralised project management aimed at faster execution and closer coordination with border security agencies. Implementation timelines and funding arrangements will be set by the central agencies and state authorities through joint reviews.

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