Malda (WB), Aug 17: Union Minister of State for Agro and Rural Industries Nikhil Kumar Choudhury today inaugurated a four-lane stretch of National Highway 34 passing through this town in North Bengal. Choudhury said the 2.2 km stretch, constructed at a cost of Rs 5.24 crore would reduce traffic jams on the highway and ensure smooth passage of vehicles through the town.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Fertilisers and Chemicals Tapan Sikdar said 13,000 kms of national highway would be constructed or their width increased under the Prime Minister's 'Sadak Yojna'.

He claimed the project would be completed by March 2004, nine months ahead of schedule. Besides, work on 'Bengal corridor' between barasat in North 24 Parganas district and Raiganj in north Dinajpur district was going ahead fast and would be completed as per schedule, he said.

Bureau Report