Several projects have been approved by the central government to boost connectivity in the country. One such project is the Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway. On Saturday, the Centre approved the construction of the 568-km-long, six-lane Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway, according to an announcement by Bihar’s Road Construction Minister, Nitin Nabin.
About The Project
This greenfield expressway is a crucial infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity between Delhi and the Northeast region through Bihar. Currently, Gorakhpur and Siliguri are not connected by any direct road network, resulting in a travel time of 15 hours. Upon completion, the expressway will reduce the journey duration to just six hours.
Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway To Boost Connectivity
The expressway will pass through 39 blocks, covering 313 villages across the districts of West Champaran, East Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, and Kishanganj in Bihar. Of the total 568-km, 417 km will be located within Bihar. The project also includes the construction of bridges over major rivers such as the Gandak, Bagmati, and Kosi.
The estimated cost of constructing the expressway is Rs 38,645 crore, with Bihar contributing Rs 27,552 crore. The road system will have a speed limit of 120 kmph and will run parallel to the Bareilly-Gorakhpur Expressway. Land acquisition has been completed for 111 villages in Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, and Deoria districts of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in the tehsils of Chauri-Chaura, Hata, Tamkuhiraj, and Kasya.
