Question : REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF HIGHWAYS IN WEST BENGAL

(a) whether the Government is planning to widen the National Highway passing through Jalpaiguri;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government has received clearances from other concerned Ministries in this regard;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether the Government has earmarked any special fund for speedy repairing and maintenance of roads and highways connecting Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri;

(g) if so, the details thereof; and

(h) if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA)

(a) to (e) The sections of NH-31 from Km 575.150 to 587.60 & Km 603.40 to 634.00 and NH-31C from Km 105.00 to 249.70 & Km 253.30 to 255.00 on East-West Corridor fall in Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal and are proposed to be four-laned under Phase-II of NHDP (National Highways Development Project). Preparation of detailed project reports for the East-West Corridor alignment in West Bengal is held up for want of clearance for survey and investigations from Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF) since the alignment passes through wildlife sanctuaries / national parks at many places and it is still awaited.

(f) to (h) Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri are connected through NH 55 from Darjeeling to Siliguri and State road from Siliguri to Jalpaiguri. This Ministry is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of National Highways. No special fund has been earmarked for repairing and maintenance of sections of National Highways on East-West Corridor in Jalpaiguri District & NH-55 in Darjeeling District. These National Highways are being maintained in traffic-worthy condition out of normal maintenance and repair funds. The funds are allocated to the State for all the National Highways and not to any particular National Highway.