Raiganj, Oct. 1 -- In a significant development for road connectivity in North Dinajpur district, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated consultancy work for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for three proposed high-speed road corridors covering about 95 km in North Dinajpur and neighbouring Kishanganj district of Bihar.

The proposed projects include a 65 km high speed corridor connecting Raiganj, Malda and Barsoi in Bihar as connecting part of Moregram-Kishanganj high-speed road. Another 25 km four lane greenfield Kishanganj bypass, described as Bengal to Bengal on NH 27A and a third 5 km four-lane bypass is planned between Purnia More and Dalkhola along the NH-12 and NH-27 corridors.

According to officials, consultancy services for preparation of DPRs for the three projects have already been initiated. The DPR process will examine technical feasibility and other requirements before the projects move towards subsequent stages of implementation.

The move follows an initiative taken by Raiganj MP Kartik Chandra Paul, who met Union Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi in July this year and urged the Centre to consider construction of the three corridors in the Raiganj Parliamentary Constituency and adjoining areas of Bihar.

Paul said the preparation of the DPRs would be followed by several procedural stages before actual construction begins. He also said the state government had shown a positive approach towards extending necessary cooperation to NHAI for implementing the projects.

"After the preparation of the DPR, some more processes will have to be completed before construction can begin. The state government is now positive about assisting NHAI in constructing these roads. Once completed, the three corridors will benefit people of North Bengal as well as South Bengal," Paul said.

The proposed corridors are also expected to strengthen road connectivity between West Bengal and Bihar and facilitate movement of goods and passengers. Improved connectivity could further support trade and commercial activities between the two states, particularly along the Raiganj-Dalkhola-Kishanganj-Purnia belt.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.