The Central Government has sanctioned ₹2,077.18 crore for the construction of a 31.02km, four-lane highway along the highly strategic Siliguri Corridor, also known as the “Chicken’s Neck.” Announced by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, the new National Highway 327 will run parallel to the existing National Highway 27—maintaining a distance of 20km to 30km—and will connect Bagdogra to Galgalia in Bihar via Panitanki and Kharibari. As the sole land bridge linking the Northeastern states with the rest of India, the narrow Siliguri Corridor holds immense strategic importance due to its proximity to Nepal, Bangladesh, China, and Bhutan. The new four-lane stretch is designed to decongest local transit points, improve access to Bagdogra Airport and border routes to Nepal, and accelerate the transport of regional produce like tea, agricultural, and horticultural goods to broader national markets. Beyond enhancing regional economic infrastructure, the project forms a core component of the Centre’s ongoing efforts to fortify national defense and connectivity across North Bengal. The planned construction will feature three major bridges, one road overbridge, service roads, and five specialized elephant underpasses within the Kurseong forest division to prevent wildlife accidents along active migration corridors. Welcoming the approval, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista underscored that the highway’s significance extends far beyond regional mobility, serving as a critical asset for national security, economic resilience, and seamless supply-chain movement between eastern and northeastern India.
Centre Allocates ₹2,000 Crore for 31km Highway to Fortify Siliguri Corridor
