Siliguri, Oct. 1 -- The Central government has sanctioned Rs.1,175 crore to build a six-lane bridge across the River Teesta in West Bengal's Darjeeling district, which is expected to strengthen connectivity between the Siliguri corridor in north Bengal, Sikkim and the Northeast.

"In West Bengal, we have approved Rs.1,175.59 crore for the construction of a 6.91-km-long, 6-lane major bridge with approaches across the River Teesta at Sevoke on NH-10 (Old NH-31) in Darjeeling district," Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari wrote on X.

Officials aware of the developments said that the Centre had earlier sanctioned Rs.844 crore to construct a bridge and a tender was also floated. The tender, however, was cancelled.

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