The Siliguri-Gorakhpur six-lane expressway will now pass through approximately 72 kilometers of the district after changes were made to its alignment. Previously, the distance covered by the expressway in the district was 89 kilometers. Following the changes in alignment, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a new notification on September 11 stating that the acquisition of land from 32 villages in the Thakurganj region will now take place.
In 2023, the number of villages affected was 26. The express highway will enter the Kishanganj district from the Tehragachh block. During this, it will pass through six villages in Tehragachh, 25 in Bahadurganj, and 63 in the revenue villages of Thakurganj block.
NHAI has approved the inclusion of villages affected by the road development work between kilometers 434.45 to 506 of the Siliguri-Gorakhpur expressway under Section 3A of the NH Act, 1956. As a result, land from three regions in Kishanganj district will be acquired.
The project has faced demands for changing the alignment. Initially, the expressway was planned to pass through the western part of Thakurganj town. However, due to concerns raised by the Thakurganj Civic Forum about the extensive damage to both residents and government institutions within a four-kilometer radius of the town, a request was made to change the alignment.
The project aims to avoid causing harm to the town’s population and will pass through greenfield areas. This will help save the livelihoods and homes of hundreds of people.
The expressway will pass through 32 villages in the Thakurganj region, including villages like Besarbati, Kukurbagi, Pathariya, Nejagachh, Gothra, Kanakpur, Giddhinagola, Udaraagudi, Doodhamanjor, Dogachhi, Noniya Tadi, Bhogdabar, Chaital, Ruidhasa, Bahadurpur, Amaljhardi, Jiranagach, Kharudah, Kunjimari, Kurimani, Gambhirgadh, Katharong, Saraykudi, Karuamani (248), Karuamani 51, Thakpada, Kukurbaghi 33, Kukurbaghi 05, Kudulchara, Barachowndi 185, and Barachowndi 183.
The development of the express highway is expected to give a new dimension to the district’s growth. It will be the first large-scale project in the district that will create new opportunities in the areas of commerce, industry, and employment.
After the construction of the six-lane expressway, local businesses will receive a boost. Industrial development activities will increase, and the express highway will provide established industries in the district with access to new markets in major commercial centers in the country. The reach of local products to major cities will become easier.
An industrial zone near Galgalia on the highway is proposed, which will provide new business opportunities and employment for local residents. The speed of travel to major cities from the express highway will be halved.
The best thing about the express highway is that it is expected to create new employment opportunities with the development of an industrial corridor. Regional skilled and unskilled labor will find sufficient opportunities. The start of new business and industry-related activities will work to increase new job opportunities.
With the availability of adequate resources, the highway’s gift will prove to be a milestone in establishing new industrial units in the region.