Centre Sanctions Rs. 11.75 bn for Six-Lane Teesta Bridge
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Centre Sanctions Rs. 11.75 bn for Six-Lane Teesta Bridge

The Central government has sanctioned Rs. 11.75 bn for construction of a six-lane bridge across River Teesta at Sevoke in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district. The project is intended to provide an alternative to the ageing Coronation Bridge and improve road links between the Siliguri Corridor, Sikkim and the northeastern states.

The 6.91-km project includes the main bridge and its approaches on NH-10, formerly NH-31, under the National Highways Authority of India. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the approval, which is valued at Rs. 11.76 bn in the detailed sanction, while an earlier proposal had been cleared at Rs. 8.44 bn.

A tender for the earlier proposal was cancelled. The new structure is planned near Sevoke, about 2 km downhill from the existing Coronation Bridge, popularly called Bagh Pool; a railway bridge is currently the only bridge near the proposed site. Once completed, it will shorten the route between Sevoke and Ellenbari in Jalpaiguri district by around 10 km.

Vehicles travelling from Siliguri to Sikkim through National Highway 717A and towards the Northeast on NH-10 now use the Coronation Bridge. The existing route is vulnerable to landslides and accidents and frequently faces heavy congestion, making the alternative crossing important for passenger and freight movement.

The bridge is also expected to support trade, tourism, logistics and regional integration, while improving access to the Dooars, a tea-growing area with national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Officials said the proposal had been discussed since the early 1990s, with soil tests conducted by the West Bengal Public Works Department, but it was not taken forward. A demand for the project was raised in Parliament in December 2009, and local representatives have linked the new crossing to road safety and national security because of the existing bridge’s age.

The Central government has sanctioned Rs. 11.75 bn for construction of a six-lane bridge across River Teesta at Sevoke in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district. The project is intended to provide an alternative to the ageing Coronation Bridge and improve road links between the Siliguri Corridor, Sikkim and the northeastern states. The 6.91-km project includes the main bridge and its approaches on NH-10, formerly NH-31, under the National Highways Authority of India. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the approval, which is valued at Rs. 11.76 bn in the detailed sanction, while an earlier proposal had been cleared at Rs. 8.44 bn. A tender for the earlier proposal was cancelled. The new structure is planned near Sevoke, about 2 km downhill from the existing Coronation Bridge, popularly called Bagh Pool; a railway bridge is currently the only bridge near the proposed site. Once completed, it will shorten the route between Sevoke and Ellenbari in Jalpaiguri district by around 10 km. Vehicles travelling from Siliguri to Sikkim through National Highway 717A and towards the Northeast on NH-10 now use the Coronation Bridge. The existing route is vulnerable to landslides and accidents and frequently faces heavy congestion, making the alternative crossing important for passenger and freight movement. The bridge is also expected to support trade, tourism, logistics and regional integration, while improving access to the Dooars, a tea-growing area with national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Officials said the proposal had been discussed since the early 1990s, with soil tests conducted by the West Bengal Public Works Department, but it was not taken forward. A demand for the project was raised in Parliament in December 2009, and local representatives have linked the new crossing to road safety and national security because of the existing bridge’s age.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Technology

Where Infrastructure Meets Intelligence: Inside Bentley's Year inc

Oct 28, 2026  @Tanveer PadodeA first-hand account of Bentley’s 2026 awards, where AI, digital twins and engineering innovation are reshaping infrastructure delivery.- By Tanveer Padode, CEO, IMPACCT: A first-hand account of Bentley’s 2026 awards, where AI, digital twins and engineering innovation are reshaping infrastructure delivery.Two days in SingaporeConstruction is won or lost in two places: how a project is designed and how it is delivered. Technology has promised to improve both for years, and the question I carried into Bentley's Year in Infrastructure, held at the Fairmont Si..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Vaishnaw Inaugurates Two Rail Sections in Madhya Pradesh

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on October 24 inaugurated the Satna-Devendranagar and Rewa-Churhat rail sections under the Lalitpur-Singrauli Railway Project in Madhya Pradesh. He also flagged off the new Devendranagar-Churhat passenger train service through video conferencing. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav attended the event. The new Rewa-Churhat railway line, which extends approximately 65 km, was built at a cost of over Rs. 10 bn. The 53 km Satna-Devendranagar line was constructed at a cost of over Rs. 8 bn. The passenger service is expected to provide improved rail access to residents in..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Railways Minister to Inaugurate New Rail Sections Covering 118 km

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will inaugurate the Satna-Devendra Nagar and Rewa-Churhat rail sections in Madhya Pradesh on October 24. The two sections have a combined length of 118 km and are intended to improve passenger and freight connectivity across the region. Vaishnaw will also flag off a new train service between Devendra Nagar and Churhat. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will attend the inauguration programme, according to information released by the Ministry of Railways. The 53-km Satna-Devendra Nagar section is expected to improve rail access to Satna, Nagod, Devendra..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code