Agencies and KalimNews, March 12, 2025 ; The Central government has taken over the construction of the second bridge over the Teesta River at Sevoke from the West Bengal Public Works Department (PWD), transferring the project to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This move follows a series of delays attributed to land acquisition challenges and comes shortly after the Centre took over the maintenance of NH10’s Bengal segment from the state government in October 2024. The NH10 highway is a crucial link between Siliguri and Gangtok in Sikkim.
According to sources, the Bengal PWD had previously been entrusted with the construction of the bridge and had prepared a detailed project report (DPR) with an estimated cost of ₹1,125 crore. The state government had given its formal approval for the project in early 2024, though the Centre had sanctioned funds as early as 2021. However, delays in obtaining necessary land approvals resulted in the project seeing minimal progress.
The new bridge, designed to alleviate congestion on the existing Coronation Bridge, is expected to be a four-lane structure running parallel to the Sevoke railway bridge, with a width of 14 meters.
Officials in Nabanna suggested that the Centre did not explicitly cite reasons for the project’s transfer. However, given the slow progress of several national highway projects in the state, it is believed that land acquisition issues played a significant role. The decision is considered a setback for the Bengal government, particularly as it prepares for the 2026 elections, and may also impact investment confidence in the state. The state PWD, which worked extensively to secure clearances for the project, stands to lose its agency commission of eight percent.
The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, had previously urged the West Bengal government to expedite land acquisition for 20 national highway projects under its execution. In a letter dated December 17, 2024, Gadkari emphasized that these projects, with a cumulative cost of ₹8,003.14 crore, were facing considerable delays due to pending approvals for land acquisition, forest clearance, and utility shifting.
Reports indicate that projects managed by NHAI have faced fewer hurdles in land acquisition compared to those handled by the state PWD. The Centre may have factored in this aspect while deciding to transfer the Teesta bridge project. Two major Greenfield National Highways—the Varanasi to Kolkata corridor and the Kharagpur to Moregram route—are currently being developed by NHAI, with significant land acquisition underway.
The Coronation Bridge, commissioned in 1941 in honor of King George VI, remains a critical link in the region despite its age and structural limitations. Originally built with an estimated lifespan of a century, the bridge has sustained significant wear over the decades due to increasing traffic loads and natural calamities such as earthquakes in 2011 and 2015.
The construction of the Coronation Bridge began in 1937, led by prominent Bengali architects A.C. Dutt, S.K. Ghosh, and K.P. Roy. The design, drawing, and planning were overseen by John Chambers, the last British Executive Engineer of the Darjeeling Division PWD, while the construction contract was awarded to Messrs J.C. Gammon of Bombay.
It was named to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937 and was completed in 1941 at a cost of Rs 6 lakhs. The foundation stone of the bridge was laid by John Anderson, the-then Governor of Bengal in 1937. Recognizing its strategic importance, especially given the region’s proximity to the China border, the new bridge is expected to improve connectivity between Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim, Siliguri, and the Northeast. This road serves as a crucial link connecting Siliguri with the Dooars and parts of Kalimpong district, and via Alipurduar, it joins Assam and other northeastern states.
Locally, the Coronation Bridge is known as “Baagh Pool,” meaning Tiger Bridge, due to the presence of majestic tiger statues on both sides of the structure. These statues were constructed in honor of the bridge’s historical significance and its commemoration of King George VI’s coronation. The iconic statues have made the bridge a landmark, further enhancing its cultural and historical value.
The Centre has allocated ₹1,190 crore for the new bridge, which, along with its approach road, will span 6.85 km, connecting Sevoke in Darjeeling district to Ellenbari. According to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the estimated completion time for the project is 36 months from the commencement date, pending final approval from the competent authorities.
The Bengal government had recently secured environmental clearances for the project following a series of meetings with officials from the forest and environment departments. While these approvals marked a significant step forward, the Centre’s decision to reassign the project underscores the urgency of streamlining infrastructure development in the state.
