The Centre has begun the process of upgrading 16 state highways in West Bengal to national highways following a proposal submitted by Public Works Minister Ajay Poddar to Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. The roads together cover about 2,000 km, and the Centre has responded positively to the state’s request, according to government sources. A senior Public Works Department official said the process could begin on the ground within a couple of months. The official said the change would strengthen West Bengal’s infrastructure and road transport network while reducing the state’s maintenance burden. Savings, the official added, could allow the department to focus on roads in more remote areas. The proposed highways are spread across the state and include routes connecting important border points. Among the key corridors is the road linking the Malda-Gour and Mahadipur border areas. The state has also sought national highway status for the route connecting Chakdaha, Bongaon and the Petrapole border checkpoint, which is a major India-Bangladesh land trade link. Other roads on the list include the Durgapur-Bankura route, Purulia-Barakar, Mohammad Bazar via Sainthia to Kandi, and the road from Asansol Jubilee More to Jamtara Road. An official said the border corridors had strategic importance because West Bengal shares borders with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. The proposed upgrades are also expected to support expansion and maintenance of routes serving industrial and commercial centres. An industrial estate is being developed in Raghunathpur in Purulia, increasing the importance of the proposed Purulia-Barakar national highway. The list also includes the road to the Gangasagar pilgrimage site, where the state government has allocated funds for a proposed bridge. After taking office, the state government transferred responsibility for its seven national highways from the Public Works Department’s National Highways wing to the National Highways Authority and the National Highways Development Board.