The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has initiated the tender for the project worth Rs 754.72 Crores for the 4/6-lanning of NH-31 (New NH-10) with both sides service roads from km 569/258 to km 581/030 end of Asian Highway-02 on NH-31 near Shivmandir in Darjeeling District to Sevoke Army Cantonment in Jalpaiguri District on the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Mode.
Speaking on the matter, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista asserted that the move will minimise the time and cost over-runs, and ensure completion of the project with the least costs and greater efficiency. The project is expected to be completed in thirty months.
“The daily jam in Darjeeling More area is one of the most severe problems faced by the people from Siliguri and nearby regions. Because of which, construction of this corridor has been among the main demands of the people from Siliguri and North Bengal region, and one of the dream projects for me. I am very happy that within a short period of time, we have been able to address this major issue confronting our region. The completion of this project will help ease traffic between Khaprail More, Matigara, Darjeeling More, Siliguri town, 2-mile, and Salugara,” the MP added.
Along with this, tenders for upgrading 4 stretches on NH10 have also been issued, stopping landslides in critical areas and widening NH-10 in congested places. This also is expected to help ease traffic along with Kalimpong, Sikkim and Siliguri stretch along river Teesta.
Bista further assured that the planning process for an alternative to Coronation Bridge is also being undertaken, and tenders are expected to be issued within the next 2-3 months. Along with this, the designing and development of the architectural layout of Bagdogra Airport are expected to be completed in the next 3-months, and the development and construction of the new Airport terminal will begin as soon as the design has been approved.
