The Evolution of Road Transport in Alipurduar District, West Bengal: A Gateway to South Asia's Sub-Himalayan Frontier

Author(s)	Mr. Abhijit Sarkar, Dr. Jyotishmoy Bora
Country	India
Abstract	Alipurduar, a strategically vital district in the Dooars region of West Bengal, serves as the primary gateway connecting mainland India to the Northeast states and Bhutan. The history of its road transport infrastructure is intrinsically linked to geopolitical shifts, colonial economic exploitation, and post-colonial national integration policies. This review synthesizes the historical trajectory of road development in Alipurduar (established as a separate district in 2014, formerly part of Jalpaiguri), tracing its evolution from an isolated, rail-centric colonial outpost to a critical component of India’s national highway grid (NH-27). The article analyzes three distinct phases: the Colonial-Feeder Era (focused on tea and timber extraction), the Post-Partition Vulnerability Era (driven by the need for secure connectivity), and the Modern Integration Era (focused on highway expansion and regional logistics). It highlights the challenges of road maintenance in the monsoonal, seismic zone and the profound socio-economic impact of improved road access on the district's key industries—tea and tourism.
Keywords	Alipurduar, Dooars, Road Transport History, National Highway 27, Partition of India, Tea Industry Logistics, Bhutan Gateway.
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-12-14
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.62902

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