Centre Approves $41 Million Project to Widen Lava-Pedong Road

11 Mar 2025 CW Team

The central government has approved a Rs 338 crore ($41 million) project to widen and upgrade the Lava-Pedong road, a critical alternative route when National Highway 10 (NH10) faces disruptions. The project, aimed at enhancing road connectivity to Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok, is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion and ensure smoother travel between North Bengal and Sikkim.

The road expansion will be executed by the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode. The project involves converting the existing stretch into a two-lane road with paved shoulders, with completion targeted within two and a half years.

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, for approving the project. He stated, “Alongside development projects, social and political concerns would also be resolved for the welfare of the people.”

Residents of Pedong, Lava, and nearby areas have long suffered during monsoons when NH10—the primary highway connecting Sikkim—gets blocked, forcing heavy traffic onto narrower, congested alternative routes. The newly sanctioned project aims to resolve these issues, providing improved connectivity throughout Kalimpong district and ensuring a smoother journey to Gangtok.

With the enhancement of NH-717A, both local commuters and visitors can expect better road conditions, reduced congestion, and more efficient connectivity between West Bengal and Sikkim. The initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing the region’s infrastructure challenges while promoting economic growth and social welfare.

Real Estate

26 Jun 2026

AGM Vijaylaxmi launches Sixty3 W.E. Bizpark

AGM Vijaylaxmi Group has launched Sixty3 W.E. Bizpark, a mixed-use commercial development in Goregaon East, Mumbai. The project includes contemporary office spaces and a high-street retail component designed to support businesses, retailers and professionals.Located along the Western Express Highway, Sixty3 W.E. Bizpark is planned as a G+25-storey commercial tower. It offers office spaces ranging from 545 sq ft to 3,200 sq ft, with a 3.60 metre floor-to-floor height aimed at improving spatial comfort, natural light and operational efficiency.The project features a high-street retail boulevard ..

Manglam Group to Develop Sheraton Hotel in Jaipur

Manglam Group has signed an agreement with Marriott International to develop a Sheraton hotel on the Jaipur–Ajmer Highway in Jaipur. The project will feature 220 keys and is being developed with an investment of around Rs 3.5 billion across more than 300,000 sq ft.The hotel marks Manglam Group’s third collaboration with Marriott International and forms part of its Rs 10 billion hospitality investment roadmap. The agreement was signed by Amrita Gupta, Director, Manglam Group and CEO, Manglam Spa and Resorts, and Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding Greater China, Marriott Interna..

India Warehousing Show 2026 opens at YashoBhoomi

India's warehousing, logistics, and supply chain ecosystem came together as the 15th edition of India Warehousing Show (IWS) 2026 opened at YashoBhoomi, India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi on June 25 (Thursday). Organised by RX India, the three-day event will run from 25-27 June 2026, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, technology providers, and supply chain professionals under one roof. It also features a two-day knowledge conference that will run alongside the exhibition. Inaugurated by Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary - Logistics, DPIIT..