The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has officially approved a ₹1,175.59 crore infrastructure project to construct a 6.91-km, six-lane major bridge across the Teesta River at Sevoke on National Highway 10 in Darjeeling district. Expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Central government, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari hailed the project as a vital lifeline that will dramatically improve connectivity to Sikkim and Northeast India. Strategic Significance for North Bengal and SikkimNational Highway 10 serves as the primary ground link connecting the plains of Siliguri with Kalimpong, Sikkim, and sensitive India-China border zones. Over recent years, frequent landslides, heavy monsoon deluges, and the aging infrastructure of existing bridges near Sevoke have repeatedly paralyzed traffic, causing severe economic and logistical bottlenecks. The approval of the ₹1,175.59 crore outlay addresses a long-standing demand from residents, tourism operators, and strategic planners. The 6.91-km project encompasses a state-of-the-art six-lane high-capacity bridge alongside modern approach roads engineered to withstand regional seismic and terrain challenges.Chief Minister's Gratitude and Political ContextWelcoming the central sanction, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari extended appreciation to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Adhikari emphasized that expanding infrastructure across North Bengal remains essential for unlocking the state's economic potential and ensuring smooth commercial transit to neighboring landlocked regions. "The construction of this 6-lane bridge across the Teesta River fulfills a crucial need for our region," CM Adhikari noted during a public address, highlighting that the upgrade will eliminate bottleneck congestion near Coronation Bridge and reduce transit times between Siliguri and Gangtok. The announcement comes amidst a broader push by the Union and State governments to strengthen road networks across West Bengal ahead of the upcoming festive season.Economic and Strategic ImpactThe implementation of the six-lane Teesta River bridge is set to deliver far-reaching benefits across multiple sectors: 1. Defence and Strategic LogisticsGiven NH-10's critical role as a transit corridor toward border posts in Sikkim, the high-capacity six-lane bridge will ensure uninterrupted movement of heavy military equipment, supplies, and security personnel during monsoon months when traditional routes are prone to washouts. 2. Tourism and Local CommerceDarjeeling, Kalimpong, and Sikkim attract millions of domestic and international tourists annually. Smooth, all-weather road connectivity will eliminate multi-hour traffic delays at Sevoke, lowering travel costs and providing a substantial boost to the local hospitality sector. 3. Regional Trade ExpansionAs part of the broader Chicken’s Neck (Siliguri Corridor) infrastructure upgrade, the project facilitates seamless freight movements, reducing transportation costs for agricultural produce, tea exports, and daily essential commodities supplied to Sikkim and Bhutan. Engineering Architecture and Next StepsThe project will be executed using modern engineering standards designed to handle extreme river flow during peak monsoon discharges. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will oversee the tendering process, with construction expected to commence following preliminary survey work and environmental clearances. With the sanction in place, state administrative bodies are working in coordination with central agencies to expedite land acquisition and utility shifting to ensure timely completion.
