The Centre has approved a major ₹2,077.18-crore highway infrastructure project aimed at strengthening connectivity through the strategically important Siliguri Corridor, the narrow land link connecting mainland India with the northeastern states. The project involves the four-laning of a 31.02-kilometre stretch of National Highway-327 between Bagdogra, Panitanki, Kharibari and Galgalia. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced the approval on September 3, 2026.
The highway upgrade is significant because the Siliguri Corridor, popularly known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” serves as a crucial connection between the rest of India and the Northeast. The improved NH-327 route is expected to provide an additional, more efficient road link in the region while strengthening connectivity towards the India-Nepal border and improving access towards Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Under the approved project, the existing road will be expanded into a four-lane highway and will include three major bridges, one Road Over Bridge (ROB), five elephant underpasses and service roads on both sides. These components are designed to improve traffic flow, road safety and movement through the corridor while addressing the region’s wildlife-related challenges.
The five elephant underpasses are particularly important because parts of the highway pass through areas used by elephants. The proposed crossings are intended to provide safer movement for wildlife and reduce the possibility of human-elephant conflicts caused by highway traffic. The project has also involved environmental considerations, with forest land diversion being an issue during the clearance process.
The upgraded highway is expected to ease congestion around Bagdogra, Naxalbari, Kharibari and Panitanki, while improving access to Bagdogra Airport and other important transportation points in North Bengal. Faster and more reliable road connectivity could also support the movement of agricultural, horticultural and tea products from the region to larger markets.
From a strategic perspective, better road infrastructure around the Siliguri Corridor can improve the resilience of one of India’s most important land connections to the Northeast. The corridor is vital not only for civilian transportation and trade but also for maintaining reliable movement across North Bengal and towards the northeastern states. The new infrastructure is therefore expected to strengthen both regional connectivity and the broader strategic importance of the area.
The ₹2,077.18-crore investment comes as India continues to expand infrastructure in strategically important border and northeastern regions. With four-laning, new bridges, service roads and dedicated wildlife crossings, the NH-327 project is expected to create a more capable road network around the Siliguri Corridor while supporting economic activity and improving connectivity across the region.
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