Parliament Question: Alignment of Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1957 ANSWERED ON 30TH JULY, 2026 ALIGNMENT OF GORAKHPUR-SILIGURI EXPRESSWAY 1957. SMT. LOVELY ANAND: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that a large number of residential and commercial properties are being affected by the present alignment of the proposed Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway near Dhankaul Chowk in Sheohar district of Bihar; (b) whether it is a fact that the alternative alignment of the expressway was proposed from south of Dhankaul Dam in the survey of December, 2025, which would have minimized loss and displacement of the people; (c) if so, the reasons for change in the present alignment; and (d) whether the Government is likely to consider revising the route keeping in view the local public interest, minimum displacement and the earlier proposed alignment and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) to (d) Alignment of Gorakhpur Siliguri Access Controlled High Speed Greenfield corridor has been finalised after detailed analysis of options and stakeholder consultation process. The State Government has also consented to the alignment after due deliberations. Further, a specialized five-member committee conducted physical inspections including locations in the Sheohar district to map out land types, residential structures, and commercial setups directly on the alignment path.The alignment of Gorakhpur-Siliguri Access Controlled High Speed Greenfield corridor was approved in the Alignment Approval Committee in its meeting held on 04.04.2025. However, it was noticed that the proposed alignment near Sheohar is overlapping with the new proposed Railway line and to avoid conflict with Railway line, minor re-alignment has been proposed near Dhankaul Dham. However, care has been taken to minimize acquisition of residential or commercial structures. *****