Bengal Gets ₹1,175.59 Crore Teesta Bridge Project in Darjeeling

The Union Government has approved ₹1,175.59 crore for the construction of a new 6.91-km, six-lane bridge across the Teesta River at Sevoke in Darjeeling district of West Bengal.

The new bridge will be developed along NH-10 and is planned to provide an alternative route to the historic Coronation Bridge, which was commissioned in 1941. The project is expected to strengthen road connectivity between West Bengal, Sikkim and the wider Northeast through the strategically important Siliguri Corridor.

The new Teesta bridge is expected to improve the movement of passengers and freight along the route while reducing congestion and travel time. Better connectivity could also support trade, tourism and logistics activity across North Bengal and the neighbouring regions.

According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) EPC tender, the construction package is valued at around ₹844 crore excluding GST, with a stipulated completion period of 1,095 days. The ₹1,175.59 crore figure represents the total amount approved by the Union Government for the project.

Once completed, the bridge is expected to add substantial road capacity to one of North Bengal's key transport routes and provide an additional connection for traffic travelling towards Sikkim and the Northeast.

The project is significant for the region's long-term infrastructure development, particularly given the importance of NH-10 for passenger, commercial and freight movement between the plains of North Bengal and the Himalayan region.