The Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway is an ambitious infrastructure project that will transform transportation in northern and eastern India. This expressway connects several states and major cities and promises to boost local economies, improving the overall quality of life for millions of people
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways plans to build an expressway from Gorakhpur to Siliguri, which will be built close to and parallel to the India-Nepal border. This will improve connectivity, tourism, development, and economic growth in eastern and northeastern India, including Nepal.
Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway Overview
- Length: 519 km
- Lanes: 4 lanes (expandable to 6)
- Cost: ₹32,000 crores
- Starting Point: Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Ending Point: Siliguri, West Bengal
- Completion Date: 2025
About Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway
The Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway is 519 km (322 mi) long and has four lanes (expandable to 6), connecting Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh to Siliguri in West Bengal. It will run almost parallel to the Indo-Nepal border through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
The expressway is part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana and will reduce travel time and distance from 640 km (400 mi) to 519 km (322 mi) to 8–9 hours to 14–15 hours. The project is of strategic importance due to its proximity to the Indo-Nepal border. It will soon extend to Guwahati, the capital of Assam and the largest city in Northeast India.
It will be constructed at a cost of Rs 32,000 crore and will be completed by 2025, it was earlier scheduled for 2028/29
Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway Route
The Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway will start from Gorakhpur Ring Road (NH-27) in Uttar Pradesh and run about 84.3 km in the state. It will later cross into Gopalganj in Bihar and end at Siliguri in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The expressway will run about 416.2 km and 18.97 km from Bihar to Bengal.
Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway District List
Uttar Pradesh
- Deoria
- Kushinagar
Bihar
- Gopalganj
- West Champaran
- East Champaran
- Sheohar
- Sitamarhi
- Darbhanga
- Madhubani
- Supaul
- Araria
- Kishanganj
West Bengal
- Darjeeling
- Uttar Dinajpur
Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway Progress
Currently, the land acquisition process is underway in all three states, and bidding is being done for five projects whose construction is yet to begin. The completion date has been pushed from 2028-29 to 2025. Officials want to extend this highway from Assam to Guwahati. However, no concrete plan has been made yet for the extension.
The Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway, which is a much-awaited project for the residents of the three states, will have a positive impact on the real estate sector, tourism, and industrialization of these regions. The state can also expect an increase in employment due to all these things.
Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway Land Acquisition
The Gorakhpur Siliguri Expressway did not face any problems compared to other expressways. In other expressways, land acquisition is difficult and delays the project.
This mega expressway project involves three of the largest states of India, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. They are densely populated, so land acquisition has always been a concern because of which many other development projects cannot take off.
Keeping this in mind, the Union Ministry of Road and Highways considered an option for land acquisition for the Gorakhpur Siliguri Expressway. They suggested that the highway be built away from the populated areas in these areas. Since it was not difficult to buy land in the interiors, this did not cause any problem in land acquisition.
Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway Benefits
- Urban transportation will become easier due to the reduction in kilometers.
- Also, the expressway will open new avenues for business.
- The central government is also building industrial corridors along with the expressway. Many districts of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar will develop through these corridors.
- The construction of expressways and industrial corridors will also increase employment opportunities.
- The construction of the Siliguri Gorakhpur Expressway will also improve the real estate situation of the surrounding areas.
Conclusion
Overall, the Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway is a transformational project set to deliver significant benefits in connectivity, economic growth, and quality of life. Although challenges remain, this ambitious project has a bright future with various stakeholders working together and adopting innovative solutions.