May 11: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has asked the state administration to expedite the land acquisition process for widening of the NH-34. NHAI chairman Brijeshwar Singh on Tuesday called on state chief secretary Ardhendu Sen at the Writers’ Buildings to discuss about the NHAI’s projects in West Bengal.
“The NHAI wants that the state government should accelerate the process of land acquisition and I have asked the land and land reforms department and public welfare department (PWD) to look into it. We have also requested the NHAI to expedite the works of Kolaghat Bridge, Haldia-Kolaghat Road, Falakata-Dhupguri Road and Panagarh Bypass,” Mr Sen said after the meeting.
As far as the Panagarh Bypass is concerned, the land alignment process is over while the Kolaghat bridge will soon get ready for vehicular movement.
Meanwhile, the state PWD will construct a road at Kalimpong which will connect to the highway which connects Sikkim with the state.
This road will be constructed at a cost of Rs 36 crores.