Project of Four Laning of Farakka – Raiganj (KM.295 to KM 398) Section of NH-34 in the State of West Bengal under NHDP Phase III
	15:3 IST

The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure today approved the implementation of project of four laning of 103 Kilometre Farakka-Raiganj Section on National Highways NH34 in the State of West Bengal under NHDP Phase III on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis. The total project cost is estimated to Rs.1078.84 crore under DBFOT pattern. The concession period shall be for 30 years including a construction period of 30 months. NH-34 is an important highway and lifeline for North-South road transport in the State of West Bengal. It passes through the State longitudinally and connects the North-eastern States and neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. The traffic on this National Highway is expected to increase substantially due to the implementation of South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) among SAARC Countries (Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh). The commercial traffic generated/originated from Haldia Port, Kolkata and Industrial areas in South Bengal heading towards North Bengal, North-eastern States, neighbouring countries (Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh) has only a route i.e. NH-34. The main object of the project is to expedite the improvement of infrastructure in the State. The project is one of the stretches approved by the Government under NHDP Phase III. The project road runs between Farakka and Raiganj which will facilitate in reducing the time and cost of travel for traffic running from Kolkata to North Bengal via Farakka and Raiganj. Background: The Cabinet gave approval for four/six laning of 4000 kilometre of National Highways under NHDP Phase III A on BOT basis in its meeting held in March 2005. Subsequently Government approved additional stretches in May, 2006, October, 2006 and April, 2007 for implementation of four laning. The stretch of 103.00 kilometre under consideration is one of the approved stretches. The project is covered in two districts of the State of West Bengal i.e. Maldah and Uttar Dinajpur. *** SH/SKS