Bengal clears transfer of 7 NH stretches

Kolkata: In a bid to improve connectivity in Bengal, state govt has cleared the transfer of seven key highway corridors to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), to allow development works on the stretches. The decision had been pending for almost a year due to administrative delays.The stretches are on NH-312 connecting Jangipur, Krishnagar, Bongaon and Ghojadanga, NH-31 and NH-33, linking Bengal and Bihar. Once work on these stretches are completed, access to several strategic roads in north Bengal leading to Sikkim, Bhutan and Bangladesh will become easier, sources felt.Among the key stretches handed over to NHIDCL are the Sevoke–Kalimpong stretch of NH-10, the Hasimara–Jaigaon road up to the Indo-Bhutan border, and the Siliguri–Darjeeling hill road on NH-110.Officials hinted the move would strengthen connectivity across the Darjeeling hills, Dooars and border trade corridors while easing movement through Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia and North 24 Parganas.