Insta
BBIN Road Initiative Takes Off As India Approves $1 Billion Transnational Connectivity Project
Swarajya Staff
Sep 19, 2016, 05:48 PM | Updated 05:48 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
To increase inter-regional trade and ease passenger and cargo movement, the Government of India recently approved a $1 billion project to construct and upgrade nearly 558 km of roads. It will provide connectivity to Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
The Ministry of Finance has given its nod to the project, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will be funding around 50 percent of it. For now, the Indian side will include roads in Manipur and West Bengal.
Three roads have been selected for an upgrade in West Bengal, all of which will be undertaken by the state’s Public Works Department:
- $15 million has been sanctioned to upgrade a 122 km corridor connecting Siliguri-Mirik-Darjeeling.
- $130 million has been sanctioned for widening of 60 km of National Highway 35 connecting Kolkata with Bangaon on the border with Bangladesh.
- A $250 million project to construct a new road connecting Kolkata’s Diamond Harbour will also be built.
In Manipur, the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation will undertake two corridors:
- $230 million will be spent on upgrading 115 km of roads along the Ukhrul-Tolloi-Tadubi stretch.
- A split four-lane highway from Kohima to Imphal along National Highway 39 at a cost of $280 million.
Apart from this billion-dollar project, a 100 km long road will also come up along the Imphal-Moreh corridor.
This development follows a landmark agreement signed by the four nations, namely India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, in 2015 to promote easy movement between their respective territories to aid in trade and tourism.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.