The suggested alternative to the Coronation Bridge, referred to as the second Sevoke–Teesta Bridge, will undergo an upgrade from a four-lane to a six-lane highway as part of a significant infrastructure development initiative led by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
This project serves as a crucial connection between Sevoke and Ellenbari and is included in a broader regional connectivity strategy that encompasses the Siliguri Ring Road and an expressway linking Siliguri to Gorakhpur.
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista announced that this revision is in response to recommendations from the Standing Committee on Finance under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), which emphasized the necessity to accommodate anticipated traffic growth and enhance long-term capacity.
Consequently, the tendering process has been postponed to integrate the updated six-lane design. The revised proposal also features enhanced safety measures and a more expansive structure, with recommendations to reevaluate footpath provisions as needed.
MP Bista remarked that the upgrade is intended to prepare the bridge for future demands and improve overall safety for travelers. He encouraged the public to avoid relying on incomplete reports, clarifying that the project is being reinforced rather than postponed, thereby ensuring improved regional connectivity and traffic management within the corridor.
