West Bengal, September 03, 2026: The Centre has approved an investment of ₹2,077.18 crore for the four-laning of the 31.02-km Bagdogra–Panitanki–Kharibari–Galgalia section of National Highway-327 (NH-327) in Darjeeling district.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced the approval in a post on X, highlighting the project’s importance for connectivity, road safety and regional development.
The planned highway upgrade will feature three major bridges and one Road Over Bridge (ROB). To reduce the impact of highway traffic on wildlife movement, the project will also include five elephant underpasses. Service roads are proposed on both sides of the highway to improve local access and traffic management.
The road section passes through an important part of the Siliguri Corridor, a strategically significant connectivity route linking the northeastern states with the rest of India. The upgraded highway is expected to strengthen road links towards Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, while improving connectivity across the region.
The four-laning is also aimed at easing congestion in Bagdogra, Naxalbari, Kharibari and Panitanki. Better road infrastructure is expected to improve access to Bagdogra Airport and other important regional centres.
The project could also benefit the movement of local agricultural and commercial products. Faster and more efficient road connectivity is expected to support the transportation of agricultural produce, horticultural goods, tea and other locally produced commodities to larger markets.
With the combination of expanded road capacity, bridges, service roads and dedicated elephant underpasses, the project is aimed at improving both regional connectivity and safer movement of people and wildlife along this important highway corridor.
