Kharagpur – Siliguri Economic Corridor: A Major Step Towards Enhanced Connectivity
India’s infrastructure development is set to receive a significant boost with the Kharagpur – Siliguri Economic Corridor (EC-14), a 516 km long 4-lane access-controlled expressway approved by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This major project, also known as the Kharagpur – Siliguri Expressway, forms part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-II program. Its primary goal is to enhance freight movement efficiency and improve export logistics through better port connectivity.
Key Project Highlights
- Total Length: 516 km
- Lanes: 4
- Project Model: Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM)
- Completion Deadline: 2028
- Owner: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
The Greenfield Project's Significance
The Kharagpur-Siliguri Economic Corridor is part of India's ongoing efforts to improve its transportation infrastructure, connecting Kharagpur in the south to Siliguri in the north. This route will run through West Bengal, and construction of the expressway will focus on enabling faster movement of goods, reducing travel times, and facilitating better connectivity for export routes, especially to and from ports.
The expressway is a vital part of the government’s vision to boost India’s economy by upgrading road infrastructure. It will pass through key towns such as Kharagpur, Ghatal, Arambagh, Burdwan, Nabadwib, Plassey, Behrampore, Farakka, Malda, Raiganj, Kishanganj, Islampur, and Bagdogra.
The project also includes the 230 km Kharagpur – Burdwan – Moregram Expressway, which received approval in August 2024 from India’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, with an estimated capital cost of ₹10,247 crore. This expressway will be constructed through 5 packages under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).
Current Status of the Project
While the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for most sections of the corridor has not yet been finalized, technical bids for the Kharagpur – Moregram Economic Corridor, which spans 230.9 km, were opened in September 2024. Currently, land acquisition efforts are in progress, a crucial step for the project's timely execution.
The entire project is expected to be completed by 2028, a timeline that hinges on successful land acquisition and completion of bidding processes for the various sections.
Kharagpur – Moregram Economic Corridor Bidding Updates
The Kharagpur – Moregram section is divided into five packages. Technical bids for these packages were opened in September 2024, with land acquisition in progress. The contractors for each package will be decided following the evaluation of bids, and once the process is complete, construction is expected to commence.
| Package & Detials | Status |
|---|---|
| Package 1:
Kharagpur to Chandrakona Ghatal Road Crossing (Km 0.000 to Km 41.000) |
Click here to see details |
| Package 2:
Chandrakona Ghatal Road Crossing to Bowaichandi (Km 41.000 to Km 89.814) |
Click here to see details |
| Package 3:
Bowaichandi to Guskara-Katwa Road (Km 89.814 to Km 133.000) |
Click here to see details |
| Package 4:
Guskara-Katwa Road to Mayurakshi Bridge Approach (Km 133.000 to Km 180.000) |
Click here to see details |
| Package 5:
Mayurakshi Bridge Approach to Moregram (Km 180.000 to Km 230.957) |
Click here to see details |
Looking Ahead: What to Expect
While the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for several sections is still pending, the progress made with the technical bids marks a significant milestone in the project’s development. Land acquisition, a key challenge in infrastructure projects, is currently underway, and once resolved, the financial bids will be opened, and construction will kick off.
The Kharagpur – Siliguri Economic Corridor will play a pivotal role in improving the logistics and transportation network in West Bengal, enhancing trade routes, and fostering regional economic growth.
Conclusion
The Kharagpur – Siliguri Economic Corridor is an ambitious infrastructure project that will transform the connectivity between southern and northern West Bengal, promoting economic growth and easing the transportation of goods. With construction set to be completed by 2028, this corridor will form a crucial part of India's efforts to modernize its infrastructure under the Bharatmala Pariyojana.
Stay tuned for more updates on this key project and its impact on the region’s economic landscape.
#InfrastructureDevelopment #BharatmalaPariyojana #NHAI #RoadConstruction #WestBengal #KharagpurSiliguriExpressway #IndiaGrowth