MoRTH approves ₹1,910-cr road projects in UP & Bengal

The Union Transport Ministry, under the leadership of Nitin Gadkari, has approved road projects worth ₹1,910.83 crore. It has cleared a project worth ₹410.83 crore for the construction of a 4-lane Raniganj Bypass road, with a length of 5.261 km, on NH-14 (old NH-60) in Paschim Bardhaman district in West Bengal. This project will be executed under the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model.

The highway starts from its junction with NH-12 (old NH-34) near Morgram, connecting Rampurhat, Siuri, Raniganj, Bankura, Garbeta, and Salboni, and terminates at its junction with NH-16 (old NH-2) near Kharagpur in West Bengal. The entire stretch is currently a two-lane with a paved shoulder configuration. This corridor is an essential link for the traffic from south Indian states and Odisha towards North Bengal and northeastern states. Moreover, it connects significant industrial, religious, and agricultural areas like Kharagpur, Medinipur, Chandrakona Road, Garbeta, Bishnupur, Bankura, Raniganj, Pandabeswar, Dubrajpur, Suri, Rampurhat, and Nalhati.

In addition, the minister also announced the approval of a new connectivity route between Ballia-Ara in Uttar Pradesh through a 28 km greenfield spur road, which will be built with an investment of ₹1500 crore. He also inaugurated seven National Highway projects in Ballia district of the state, with an investment of ₹6,500 crore.

These projects reflect the government's commitment to building a robust road infrastructure across the country and promoting regional connectivity. The minister has emphasized that these projects will facilitate the movement of people and goods, boost economic growth, and create job opportunities in the region.