NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Lahiri Takes Special Initiative on Tura–Hili Corridor; Meghalaya Chief Minister Approaches Delhi to Push for Project Implementation.
# Tura–Hili Corridor: A Strategic Project That Could Transform India–Bangladesh Connectivity
**Rupak Dutta, Balurghat, November 3:**
The proposed Tura–Hili Corridor is a strategic infrastructure project that has the potential to transform connectivity between India and Bangladesh while strengthening communication links between North Bengal and India’s North-Eastern states.
The **Joint Movement Committee for Corridor Tura–Hili Through Bangladesh** has been working towards the realisation of this ambitious project since 2008.
A few months before the political upheaval in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, Indian Railways had selected three routes connecting Hili with the North-Eastern region of India as part of its Final Location Survey (FLS) covering 14 proposed railway routes through Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
The three proposed railway routes are:
1. **Balurghat–Hili–Parbatipur–Kaunia–Lalmonirhat–Moghalhat–Geetaldaha section:** Approximately 32 km.
2. **Balurghat–Geetaldaha–Bamanhat–Sonahat–Golokganj–Dhubri section:** Approximately 56 km.
3. **Balurghat–Hili–Gaibandha–Mahendraganj–Tura–Mendipathar section:** Approximately 250 km of new railway line.
Similarly, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had also initiated survey work for the proposed road corridor connecting Balurghat–Hili–Gaibandha–Mahendraganj–Tura.
However, political instability and diplomatic uncertainties between the two neighbouring countries have delayed progress towards implementing these projects.
Over the past two years, the Joint Movement Committee has continued its efforts by maintaining regular communication with important government departments and authorities in both countries to keep the proposed corridor project alive.
Now, a fresh initiative has emerged with the active interest of **Ashok Kumar Lahiri, former MLA from Balurghat and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog**. Lahiri has reportedly taken a special interest in advancing the project and has drawn the attention of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister towards its early implementation.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who has been among the strongest supporters of the proposed corridor from the beginning, has also raised the issue in New Delhi.
In a renewed effort to accelerate the project, the Joint Movement Committee for Corridor Tura–Hili Through Bangladesh has once again submitted written representations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, the Bangladesh High Commissioner in India and the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka.
The representations highlight the objectives, strategic importance and economic potential of the proposed corridor, particularly its role in improving regional connectivity, promoting bilateral trade, creating employment opportunities and strengthening economic cooperation between India and Bangladesh.
Speaking about the latest developments, **Nabakumar Das, Convener of the Joint Movement Committee**, said that the committee had recently submitted a representation to NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri in New Delhi, requesting his intervention to expedite the implementation of the corridor.
According to Das, Lahiri expressed keen interest in the project and assured the committee that he would personally take up the matter with the Prime Minister’s Office to push for further progress.
This development has generated renewed optimism among the supporters of the proposed Tura–Hili Corridor.
After years of continuous efforts and advocacy by the Joint Movement Committee, the renewed interest shown by senior policymakers has once again raised hopes that this strategically important connectivity project may move closer to reality.
**The Tura–Hili Corridor is not merely a transport project; it could become a gateway to regional economic integration, improved connectivity and stronger India–Bangladesh relations.**