CM Suvendu Adhikari Welcomes Six-lane Teesta Bridge Approval
Six-lane bridge will strengthen connectivity between Bengal, Sikkim and Northeast.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday thanked the Central government for sanctioning Rs 1,175.59 crore for a six-lane bridge over the Teesta River at Sevoke in Darjeeling district. The 6.91-km project will be developed along National Highway 10 and is intended to strengthen road connectivity in North Bengal. The Centre's approval was announced by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Adhikari described the project as important because of the strategic significance of the Siliguri Corridor and the challenging ecological conditions of the region. In a social media post, he said the bridge would facilitate smoother passenger and freight movement while strengthening supply chains towards North Bengal, Sikkim and the northeastern states. He also said the project could create new opportunities for economic development in local communities.
The bridge is expected to provide an alternative route to the historic Coronation Bridge, which was commissioned in 1941. The new infrastructure is part of the planned improvement of National Highway 10, a key road link connecting Siliguri with Sikkim and the wider northeastern region. Officials and government representatives have highlighted the potential for the project to improve transportation efficiency and support the movement of goods and passengers along the corridor.
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The project also comes amid efforts to strengthen infrastructure in North Bengal, where connectivity is important for trade, tourism and regional supply chains. A member of the state Cabinet said infrastructure development was central to the government's plans for economic growth in the region, particularly by supporting sectors such as tea, timber and tourism. The bridge is expected to form part of this broader connectivity push.
Adhikari said the state government would provide the necessary on-ground support to facilitate the project's implementation. He described the approval as an example of cooperation between the Centre and the state and reiterated the administration's commitment to ensuring that the project progresses without unnecessary delays. The bridge is expected to improve connectivity while supporting economic activity across parts of North Bengal and neighbouring regions.
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