CII – North Bengal Initiates Central Attention for North Bengal’s Transport Development

By Hirak. D (TNI Siliguri)  |  TNI Editing Siliguri

Webdesk, TNI Siliguri, 22^nd April, 2017: As part of its Act East Policy, North Bengal inalienably integrated to the Central Government’s development agenda and action plans, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping, Mr. Nitin J. Gadkari, told a CII delegation here today. While Mr. Gadkari was accompanied by Mr. S S Ahluwalia, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare & MP Darjeeling, the CII delegation was led by Mr. Rajiv Lochan, Chairman, of the CII North Bengal Zonal Council, at Bagdogra Airport. During the meeting, Mr. Lochan urged Mr. Gadkari to consider including North Bengal in mega expressway infra project for the Northeast. He also said that stronger physical infrastructure and connectivity will give a tremendous boost to North Bengal and its people. Once the proposed BCIM (Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar) Economic Corridor between Kolkata and Kunming becomes a reality, North Bengal’s geographical importance will grow manifold. A realistic and futuristic roadmap deserves urgent attention, Mr. Lochan said. Mr. Gadkari invited the CII delegation to Delhi to discuss in detail the BCIM Economic Corridor which will give a tremendous boost to North Bengal because of its strategic location. “Better physical infrastructure and smoother connectivity will not only be a huge boost to both trade and bilateral trade with the neighboring countries, but it will also go a long way in attracting big investments across sectors, notably food processing, tourism, education, IT, tea, etc, and generate numerous jobs,” he explained. Good road connectivity between North Bengal and South Bengal, especially with Kolkata and Haldia Ports is an imperative for the robust economic growth and prosperity for the people living in the East and North East, he said. “A six-lane road from Kolkata to the Assam borders will mitigate huge traffic load through this route. NH 55 from Siliguri to Darjeeling, a portion of 150 meters remains unmotorable due to the landslide in September 2011, needs an immediate attention,” Mr. Lochan pointed out to the Minister.

Photo: CII – North Bengal