TTT NEWS NETWORK
NEW DELHI | 28 FEBRUARY 2026
For decades, movement across the ageing Farakka Barrage in West Bengal has been a daily test of patience. Built in the 1960s, the nearly 70-year-old structure today struggles to handle the immense flow of vehicles connecting Malda, Murshidabad, and the North Bengal region. College faculty members like Arunmoy Das, working at Prof. Syed Nurul Hasan College and commuting from Malda to Farakka every day, speak of losing one to two hours daily in traffic congestion before even reaching work. Students at the college, like Rana Haldar, describe leaving home at dawn, uncertain if they will reach class on time, especially during examination seasons. The new Farakka Bridge, among India’s longest bridges over the Ganga, is nearing completion and is expected to significantly improve connectivity, restore valuable time to thousands of citizens, and mark a significant milestone in strengthening West Bengal’s road infrastructure.
The upcoming new four-lane bridge, stretching 5.468 km across the Ganga near the ageing Farakka Barrage, is expected to transform the economic, tourism, and social landscape of the region. Built at a cost of ₹622.04 crore and now 96% complete, the project is expected to be ready soon, bringing long-awaited relief to thousands who have endured daily congestion for decades. The project is expected to substantially reduce chronic congestion, and there will be smooth movement of goods and agricultural products from North Bengal to South Bengal, apart from the seamless transportation of aggregates from Jharkhand and back. The famed mangoes and litchis of Malda and Murshidabad will gain improved access to wider markets across India and beyond, ensuring that produce reaches consumers fresh and on time.
Beyond concrete and steel, the bridge represents restored hours with family, timely access to education and healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. Nafisa, a resident of Farakka, speaks about the impact the new Farakka Bridge will have on everyday life. She says, “We are going to benefit in so many ways. My house is right beside the main road, and Nurul Hasan College and a high school are located very close to us. During exams, the traffic congestion becomes extremely stressful for students. Many worry about reaching their centres on time. Once the new bridge is operational, this daily anxiety will reduce significantly. It will also make a huge difference during medical emergencies. Right now, traffic often delays vehicles carrying patients. With smoother and faster movement, lives can be saved.”
Asif Hussain, running a logistics business from Farakka, shares his optimism and sees the upcoming bridge as more than infrastructure. It is renewed momentum for the region’s business community. “Constant traffic jams and delays have made transportation extremely challenging for us,” he says. “A large part of our working day is lost in congestion at Farakka. This new bridge will truly be a blessing. For business owners, especially those operating vehicles, it will make a tremendous difference. With smoother movement, we will be able to increase trip rotations, improve efficiency, and strengthen profitability.”
The bridge is set to transform tourism connectivity, opening faster and more seamless access to North Bengal’s most treasured destinations. It will provide improved access to destinations such as Kulik Bird Sanctuary, Gour Malda, Adina Mosque, as well as the hill destinations of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, and the state of Sikkim, unlocking greater opportunities for tourism-led growth across North Bengal.
Project Highlights
• Total length: 5.468 km
• Project cost: ₹622.04 crore
• Physical progress: 96% complete
• Designed to ease congestion on the Farakka Barrage
• Strengthens connectivity between North and South Bengal
• Facilitates inter-state movement with Jharkhand
For the people of Farakka, the new bridge is not just a crossing over the Ganga. It is a crossing into a more certain, connected, and hopeful future. As the final stages of construction draw to a close, the new Farakka Bridge stands as a symbol of time regained and possibilities restored. For students who once left home before sunrise, for teachers who lost precious hours in traffic, and for families anxiously waiting during medical emergencies, this bridge promises relief that is both practical and deeply personal.
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