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-   -   Kolkata - Siliguri route via Dumka, Bhagalpur or NH-12 (old NH-34) (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-travel-queries/121480-kolkata-siliguri-route-via-dumka-bhagalpur-nh-12-old-nh-34-a-67.html)

I did not spot anything related to the railway overbridge at Dalkola and nor the bypass for Dalkola. The work for both maybe on, but I failed to spot anything.

Raiganj and Dalkola 4 laning is going at a snail's pace. Not much progress to be honest. I believe, land acquisition is yet to be completed for this stretch.

Even if acquisition is completed, the construction, ideally would take up ~36 months.

The delay is because of many bridges in the bypass. I believe, ideally, it will take 6-12 months for it to be functional.

Thanks Sheel. In fact, HCC too is happily sitting idle and collecting toll rather than completing the stretches of Kaliachak-Sujapur, Malda bypass and Baharampur bypass. It's bit disappointing to see the such a slow progress of the work by the Indian construction firms in this route.

In contrast, if you look at the Chinese JV company RKEC-Qingdao Construction who won the tender for constructing the new 4-lane Ganges bridge at Farakka. They started working from January this year and by August they had already completed the works for piers upto pier-cap for more than half of the river width. Even during peak of Monsoon, their factory on the river bank was actively making the pre-cast segments for super-structure. They are going to use mobile mega-crane that will be hopping over the piers to launch the pre-cast super-structure segments and likely they will complete the new bridge much before the deadline.

Thanks for the update. What is the ideal time you think one shall start from Kolkata for Siliguri, so that the traffic will be low? Do you suggest that I start at around five in the evening?

Thank you, was just about to post for an update on SH7, driven last in June, and post that everyone was mentioning difficulties.

10-11 hours night or day driving estimation? I have to drive during the day because of the 3 year old.

During day time it will take atleast two to three hours more due to congestions at Kaliachowk, Malda(even though you take bypass) and the Bengal to Bengal road will also take more time than night due to lots of bikes, cycles, motor vans going like crazy throughout those 65 kms.

So I suggest you not to take any target of time and take it easy with more stops. Else you will get tired.

My parents are going to travel to Medinipur from Coochbehar after three days. They will cover the distance in two days. Which route will be better- via Malda Farakka or via Bhagalpur Asansol? In case of Bhagalpur route, any suggestion on places of night halt? Also please give some tips and strategies stupid:. Strategies are needed when you are travelling via NH 34.lol:

My parents successfully completed their trip to Medinipur and Durgapur from Coochbehar in our Swift. They travelled in daytime only and each way in two days. The below feedback is from my father:
1. The road from Moregram to Durgapur via Rampurhat, Suri, Dubrajpur, Panagarh is in absolutely horrible state. Total 30 kms approximately is in good condition within those 150 kms. The road had very less small cars also, only hundreds of trucks were there.
2. During return they returned via Burdwan, SH7, Khargram, Moregram. This road is in far better condition.
3. They faced no congestion in the Malda-Farakka section in both ways.
4. Malda bypass is operational in one flank easing out traffic congestion inside Malda city also.
5. During return they came via Dalkhola instead of Bengal to Bengal road as they crossed Dalkhola arpund 8 am. At that time, Dalkhola was absolutely clear.
6. The Kolkata-Siliguri flank of Dalkhola-Ghoshpukur section has huge craters every now and then. Be careful if you are in hatchback or sedan.

Received a response from the NHAI project director of the Malda unit. Quoting the relevant portion below.

While much is made of the government's ambitious plans, its clear that resources are an issue, since this comes straight from the horse's mouth. However some repairs have been carried out on the stretches to and after Malda. Lets enjoy the highways until the next monsoon.

PS - I have attached a copy of the letter, the formatting had to be changed however to remove personal details.

NHAI.pdf

What an irony! This section is under toll since 2016 with more than 110 crore annual revenue at present (as per exchange filling by HCC). So it is inexplicable that despite HCC breaching all major clauses regarding project completion, the authority is still begging HCC to complete the work, instead of acting against them!

As per Concessionaire agreement, NHAI should have employed third party contractor to complete the remaining work at the cost of HCC by deducting the cost from toll account. Instead, road users like us who pay the toll to drive on this stretch, continue to suffer :Frustrati

What sad state of affairs indeed! But somehow, this December, while driving down to Kolkata on the 14th of December, for the first time in several years, saw some reluctant dumpers dumping dirt on the elevated portion of the Raigunj till Botolbari stretch. Very reluctantly but still. However, since drove to the hills in December for the first time since June, enjoyed the "suddenly" completed stretch between the Feeder Canal Bridge and Farakka bypassing the famous Ballalpur Bailey Bridge.

Off Topic Note: Is there a post on route informations on status of roads in and around Sikkim and North Bengal, popular destinations and off beat ones, anyone including me who drive to West Sikkim, South Sikkim and the experts who do that more frequently than me, could put up valuable route information. For example, the route to Martam should be via Singtam instead of Sang Khola. Driving between Gyalshing and Pelling is through a very steep and narrow stretch, that can be avoided if you don't want a road as narrow as one hatch. To drive between Pelling and Namchi, taking the route via Jorethang makes you drive on a pretty broken road, and there is a road across the river right after Reshi Bazar, that is a narrow but well maintained route to Kamrang on the outskirts of Namchi and so on. There are so many bits of information we could use.

Hi Folks,

thanks for all the inputs...

so what is the final verdict on Farakka vs Bhagalpur routes...as on date which is better?

I will be starting tomorrow morning in an Ignis with better half accompanying. We want to start early and do a night halt at Siliguri.

Regards

Jai

I haven't traversed through the Bhagalpur route but recently traveled to Kolkata through the Farakka route. I would suggest taking the Farakka route as the condition of the road is much better relative to the roads along the Bhagalpur route judging by the experience shared by others in this thread.

Hi All,

I have just done a Siliguri - Ranchi - Siliguri trip. I had taken the Purnea - Bhagalpur - Dumka - Dhanbad - Bokaro - Ranchi for onward journey and Ranchi - Bokaro - Giridih - Deoghar - Bhagalpur - Purnea - Siliguri for return journey.

Siliguri - Dalkhola 4 lane good roads
Kishanganj - Purnea 4 lane bad roads, with some potholes the size of craters on the moon (avoid speeding here)
Bhagalpur Vikramshila Setu, no issues here, truck traffic may slow you down, however its running traffic.
Hope this information helps!

Can anyone here please provide some update on the kolkata-Moregram Stretch,which road will be better NH34 or Kolkata-Bardhaman-sh11/sh6/7-Moregram.
Regards
Samrat

If you can travel at night and I will suggest to cover this at night, then, stick with SH's. Day time will have too much traffic.