Siliguri, July 15 (Siliguri Chronicle) – Darjeeling BJP MP Raju Bista has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging the state government to approve the proposed alignment for the Siliguri ring road.
Bista has been pushing for the project for several years, highlighting the need for a ring road to ease traffic congestion in and around Siliguri — the biggest city in north Bengal and a key gateway to the Northeast.
“The proposed ring road will alleviate the daily traffic congestion, improve transportation and pave the way for smoother travel within the city and across the entire region. This will further help in decongesting Siliguri, as the city will spread and can be developed in a planned way,” said Bista.
Bista stated that the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has approved the project based on his proposal and has sanctioned ₹3,500 crore for its implementation.
“The ministry officially reached out to the Bengal government for its consent for the alignment of the ring road on November 4, 2023, and sent a reminder on December 19, 2024. However, the state government hasn’t yet given its consent. That is why I have sent the letter to the chief minister,” the MP added.
With less than a year to go for the Assembly elections, Bista’s letter gains political significance. The move comes as the Narendra Modi-led central government has been actively investing in key infrastructure projects in and around Siliguri — a strategically important city located in the narrow Siliguri Corridor, also known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” that connects the rest of India to the Northeast.
Major ongoing projects in the region include the expansion of Bagdogra airport, redevelopment of New Jalpaiguri railway station, construction of an elevated corridor along NH10, and the Gorakhpur-Siliguri highway.
“It is evident that the MP wants to drive home the point that infrastructural projects could not be taken up by the Centre in and around Siliguri because of the delay from the state’s side,” said a political observer.
Traffic congestion remains a major concern in Siliguri, affecting both residents and visitors, especially during peak hours. The growing volume of vehicles often leads to long delays, making daily commutes and travel across the city difficult.
Responding to the MP’s letter, a senior Trinamool Congress leader said the state government has always supported infrastructure development and is committed to cooperating on such projects.
“The state consented to the four-lane highways and arranged the land. Also, the state government provided land for the airport’s expansion. Veiled strategies of the BJP will not work here,” he said.
Loco shed expansion
The Railway Board has sanctioned ₹129.41 crore for the upgrade and expansion of the diesel loco shed at Siliguri Junction railway station.
According to a letter issued on Monday by the Board’s Director (Project and Development) to the General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the expansion will enable the shed to maintain up to 250 locomotives. Currently, the facility can handle maintenance for only about 100 engines.
“The upgrade will significantly increase the shed’s capacity and support both freight and passenger services in the NFR zone,” said Bista, the Darjeeling MP.
