Archive · 4 Sep 2026
West Bengal Approves Rs 2,077 Crore NH-327 Highway Upgrade
The government has approved money to make an important highway in West Bengal wider.
The project will improve a 31.02-kilometre section of NH-327.
Wider roads may help reduce traffic in Bagdogra, Kharibari, Naxalbari and Panitanki.
Travellers should also get better access to Bagdogra Airport.
The plan includes bridges and a road-over-bridge.
Five special underpasses will help elephants cross the highway more safely.
Farmers, tea growers, businesses and other local people may be able to move goods more easily.
The road could also improve connections to Northeast India and nearby countries.
The Centre sanctioned Rs 2,077.18 crore to four-lane a 31.02-km stretch of NH-327 in Darjeeling district.
The Bagdogra-Panitanki-Kharibari-Galgalia section is intended to reduce congestion and improve access to Bagdogra Airport.
The project includes three major bridges, one Road Over Bridge, five elephant underpasses and roadside service roads.
Officials said the upgrade could speed the movement of people, goods, agricultural produce, tea and other local products.
The highway is expected to strengthen links between North Bengal, Northeast India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan.
- Who
- The Centre, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista announced or described the project.
- What
- A Rs 2,077.18 crore project will four-lane the 31.02-km Bagdogra-Panitanki-Kharibari-Galgalia section of NH-327.
- When
- The articles state that the project was sanctioned, but do not provide a sanction date or completion timeline.
- Where
- The project is in Darjeeling district, West Bengal, covering Bagdogra, Panitanki, Kharibari and Galgalia, near the Siliguri Corridor.
- Why
- It is intended to ease congestion, improve Bagdogra Airport access, strengthen regional connectivity, support goods movement and provide safer wildlife crossings.
- Approved cost
- Rs 2,077.18 crore
- Highway section
- Bagdogra-Panitanki-Kharibari-Galgalia section of NH-327
- Project length
- 31.02 km
- Major structures
- Three major bridges and one Road Over Bridge
- Wildlife infrastructure
- Five elephant underpasses
- Additional facilities
- Service roads on both sides
- Expected economic benefits
- Faster movement of agricultural and horticultural produce, tea and other local products