Gadkari kicks off major Siliguri road project

MANAS R BANNERJEE, SNS, SLIGURI, 17 NOVEMBER 2022 : Union minister for Roads, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari today laid the foundation stone for

a 12-km elevated highway from Balasan at Shivmandir to the Sevoke Army Cantonment in Siliguri.

Addressing a gathering at a programme at Dagapur hem today, Mr Gadkari also said that his department has planned to construct another I4-km four-lane road from the Sevoke Army Cantonment to the Coronation Bridge at Sevoke by spending Rs 1,400 crore, and also a 6.4-km four-lane road, including a bridge over the River Teesta, which he said would be an alternative to the existing old Coronation Bridge built during the British era in 1941, by allotting Rs 1,100 crore.

Addressing the media later, Mr Gadkari said that his department further plans to repair the Coronation Bridge after studying it present status. According to him, the repair costs would high, but that it would be showcased as a heritage.

"The detailed project report (DPR) would be finalized very shortly for the two additional four-lane projects, covering a 20.4 km long road. It would help both Sikkim and neighbouring country Bhutan," Mr Gadkari said.

Addressing the programme, he also described the development of Siliguri and its importance and assured that a Ring Road would be constructed in the town.

Notably, the minister was scheduled to attend two other programmes-in Dalkhola in North Dinajpur and in West Midnapore—but he failed to go there after he took ill soon after the Siliguri programme.

Asked to comment by reporters, Mr Gadkari said: "I felt uneasy in the helicopter, because it was not air-conditioned. I take medicines for blood pressure. As I was feeling uneasy during the official programme here, I took medicines for pressure. Now I am fine."

Notably, government doctors present at the venue examined him and another physician from Siliguri Dr PD Bhutia joined in. Following the doctors' advice, he took rest at the venue and then went to the residence of Darjeeling MP Raju Bista at Matigara and then attended the two other programmes through video conferencing.

Before leaving for Nagpur, Mr Gadkari addressed the media, showcasing four Green Field Express Highways in which Rs 1,00,000 has been allotted for West Bengal in five packages and claimed that it would help industrial development, capital investment and employment.

"I would request the chief minister and chief secretary of West Bengal to review the progress of the projects under the National Highways Authority of India. I will also request the West Bengal government to uplift and increase growth of Bengal and take initiatives to set up smart villages, logistic hubs and industrial parks on either sides of the Green Field Express Highways covering Midnapore via Bardhaman and Murshidabad," Mr Gadkari said.

The minister also stressed on direct road connectivity projects from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh to Siliguri, which is a 519-km-long road and its estimated cost is Rs 30,000 crore, Raxaul in Nepal to Haldia Port, Varanasi to Howrah and Chennai in Tamil Nadu to Odisha.

Citing the example of Chennai to Odisha via Kolkata, he also pointed out that his department has planned to reduce traffic congestion in Kolkata and build better road connectivity so that people reach the city within a short time as compared to the present time of the journey.

Mr Gadkari sought cooperation from West Bengal for execution of those projects, including the land acquisition process.

"We have enough funds and according to the system of land acquisition of West Bengal, we

will compensate the land owners 25 percent extra from the present market price. We have also planned to involve land owners on either side of the road if they are interested to set up their own projects and will also enjoy equity share for the project," he said.

Asked if all such projects were being rolled out by keeping the Lok Sabha Polls 2024 in mind, Mr Gadkari said: "Whatever is possible for me to do in the interest of the people. Politics is done for socioeconomic reforms. Elect ions continue for a month only. I do my job, but don't expect votes in return. In fact, we work on the theme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who says Sab Ka Sath Sab Ka Vikas and Sab Ka Prayas."

"To establish the slogan Atmanirbhar Bharat growth in West Bengal is also imperative for the development of India," he added.