Seven Highway Corridors to Be Handed Over for Infrastructure Development

The Government of West Bengal on Saturday granted in-principle approval for handing over seven stretches of national highways to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

According to an official statement, the stretches were previously under the national highway wing of the state Public Works Department (PWD). The proposals for transferring these stretches had reportedly been pending for nearly a year despite repeated requests from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Officials said that several infrastructure and development projects on these highway corridors had remained stalled because the formal handover process had not been completed.

A press note issued by the Chief Secretary’s office stated that with the latest approval, the central agencies would now be able to proceed with the pending works without further delay.

The handover is expected to accelerate highway expansion, repair, and modernization projects on key road corridors across the state. Improved connectivity through upgraded national highways is also expected to boost transportation efficiency, trade, logistics, and regional economic activity.

The decision marks an important step in coordination between the state government and central infrastructure agencies for long-pending road development initiatives in West Bengal.