The railway ministry has approved funds for two road overbridges in Rangapani, on the outskirts of Siliguri, and Birpara of Alipurduar district.

Both the road overbridges are located on important level crossings. Traffic congestion is a daily affair in both the locations.

Raju Bista, the MP of Darjeeling, said that the ministry sanctioned Rs 48 crore for the proposed railway overbridge in Rangapani, around 20km from Siliguri.

The BJP MP said he had requested railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for funds for the Rangapani project this January.

“I had informed the railway minister that around one lakh people move through the railway crossing at Rangapani every day. As trains pass frequently along the route, these people face huge inconveniences. That is why I had requested him to allot funds for the ROB,” said Bista.

Once the ROB is built, it will ease traffic problems for residents of Rangapani, Phansidewa, Bidhannagar, Ghoshpukur and adjacent areas of Siliguri.

Northeast Frontier Railway officials confirmed that a similar project would come up at Birpara, some 60km from Alipurduar town, soon.

“We have received necessary approval to build the ROB in Birpara along the alignment of the level crossing near Dalgaon station. The ministry will fund the project. We are waiting for the state’s no-objection certificate,” Chetan Srivastava, the NFR general manager, said during his recent visit to Alipurduar.

Sources said over 1.5 lakh people from 15 tea gardens near Birpara use the level crossing daily.

“That’s why traffic jams are huge. The overbridge will be a big help,” said a resident.