Six Lanes, Zero Limits: The New Teesta Bridge Evolution

The proposed alternative to the Coronation Bridge, the second Sevoke–Teesta Bridge, is set to be upgraded from a four-lane to a six-lane highway under a major infrastructure initiative by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

This project is a crucial link between Sevoke and Ellenbari and forms part of a broader regional connectivity plan that also includes the Siliguri Ring Road and a proposed expressway between Siliguri and Gorakhpur. Darjeeling MP Raju Bista stated that the decision to revise the design was based on recommendations from the Standing Committee on Finance under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), which emphasized the need to account for future traffic demand and ensure long-term capacity.

Due to the design upgrade, the tendering process has been temporarily deferred to incorporate the six-lane configuration. The revised blueprint will also feature enhanced safety measures, a wider structure, and a review of pedestrian infrastructure, including footpath provisions where required.

MP Bista clarified that the modification is intended to make the bridge future-ready and improve commuter safety. He also advised the public against relying on incomplete information, emphasizing that the project is being strengthened—not delayed—to deliver better connectivity and more efficient traffic management across the region.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.