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-   -   Kolkata - Siliguri route via Dumka, Bhagalpur or NH-12 (old NH-34) (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-travel-queries/121480-kolkata-siliguri-route-via-dumka-bhagalpur-nh-12-old-nh-34-a-92.html)

Kolkata - Siliguri and return updates from our year end NE trip

Onwards direction :

• Had been in touch with @gmhossain regarding the route to take till Kalyani More while coming from South, we had been tracking the progress of Kalyani Expressway and also had briefly discussed about taking that vs Old Delhi Road on his YT update and he suggested to try out Kalyani Expressway.
• We were crossing Kolkata region at night, so decided to take the Kalyani Expressway for onwards as traffic will be lesser.
• We exited from GQ before Dankuni at 11pm, Belaghoria Toll and Expressway were pretty empty, @gmhossain had informed about the under construction direct road (https://maps.app.goo.gl/8NeZgmovGKWSc7rGA) to current start point of Kalyani Eway being accessible, we also tracked that it was showing Google Traffic pretty much entire December, but while crossing that section, it was barricaded, perhaps due to work at night. So we had to take the next turn -> https://maps.app.goo.gl/HwntcC2bGYTj4PJ58 which was narrow but it was again empty at night, so we were able to quickly pass through. In day time probably it is a one way or we'd get stuck in that road. (The alternative for now is to take the Belaghoria Feeder road?)
• The first 4kms from Nimta to Muragachha More continues to be under construction, there are diversions for most of the part. We crossed Muragachha More at 1122pm. After this most of the road work is done, there is one diversion at Basudevpur More and another small one after that, but it was a quick drive from here. Kampa More is also sorted, we did not take the Kampa More - Barajaguli road as we were planning to stay at a hotel on AIIMS Road for which we had to take the Jonepur - Kulia road.
• We exited from Kalyani Eway at 1145pm at Jonepur, there was one more diversion after Kampa More. Just waiting for Belaghoria - Nimta connection to finish and Kampa More - Barajaguli flyover to open, then this route will be default.
• Jonepur - Kulia road has been expanded compared to our drive in Dec'23, many sections are done but final layer of tarmac is pending in some sections.
• It was a fantastic morning drive from Kalyani More to Krishnanagar compared to last year, the completed sections of Chakdaha and Ranaghat saves atleast 30minutes from last year.
• Road work has started on the 2lane bits between Krishnanagar and Berhampore, there was visible construction work seen except at Beldanga and Bhabta Bridge.
  
  Quote:

  Originally Posted by gmhossain (Post 5756952) Thankfully yes! :) NHAI has now awarded the balance work to a new contractor last month. I guess, the actual work won't start until the end of general election. On a positive side of this long delay, both towns (Beldanga and Debagram) will now get a new over bridge each as per the revised DPR (old DPR did not have any!).

• Berhampore Bypass on North direction is pretty much fine, South direction is closed for resurfacing on major parts and is diverted onto this side.
• There were couple of road work directions after Moregram, especially the long one at Ahiron Bridge continues to be a diversion, can be a slow one if following slow moving vehicles as there is no scope for overtaking.
• Nothing much to update after Malda to Dalkhola, all as usual.
• Dalkhola - Ghoshpukur seems to have cyclical deterioration every few years. The section from Surjapur Toll to start of Kishanganj and then from end to Kishanganj to start of Islampur Bypass was rough, potholed, some diversions and some sections patch work has happened, couple of sections tarmac was chipped off to relay so was dusty. Islampur Bypass and the section after that was mostly good except the Chopra and Bidhan Nagar diversion.
• Traffic was let in both directions on Mahananda Barrage, the new bridge towards Ghoshpukur was blocked.

Onward timings :
11pm - Exit from GQ to Belaghoria Eway
1122pm - Muragachha More
1145pm - Jonepur Kulia road junction

654am - Kalyani More NH12
712am - Ranaghat
754am - Bethudahari Toll after Krishanagar
858am to 938am - Breakfast at Pappu Dhaba, Palsanda
1103am - Farakka Bridge
1147am - Malda Bypass (Kaliachak was a bit slow even after morning peak hours)
1201pm to 1217pm - Refuelling at IOC COCO and quick stop at Paradesi Dhaba
105pm - Raiganj Bypass
147pm - Dalkhola NH27
239pm - Islampur Bypass
318pm to 357pm - Lunch at Highwaye Haveli, Sonapur Haat
414pm - Ghoshpukur
428pm - Fulbari Junction


Return direction :

• We crossed Fulbari at 823pm, we were contemplating whether to get into Siliguri and stay, but our friend tracking us found a recently opened hotel at Kishanganj - https://maps.app.goo.gl/BxAqFEq4xCKwD3jk9 (previously there were 2 other hotels which weren't great, and Kanki Dham Lords Inn is above budget for us for just an overnight stay), so we decided to push to Kishanganj with some apprehension of covering that road condition in night time. But it turned out to be much better that the onwards experience.
• Mahananda River new bridge was not blocked towards Ghoshpukur, unlike the onwards drive.
• There are lots of shops selling tea powder before Paschim Madahati Toll, did not notice this in the previous years.
• Till Islampur, most of the sections are patched up, there was no big diversion at Bidhan Nagar too. The section till Islampur Bypass was pretty fast except the usual pothole sections around Bidhan Nagar and Chopra. After Islampur Bypass to Kishanganj start, many sections are patched up, there are few potholes, few rough sections but pretty much manageable at night too at decent pace.
• Kishanganj to Dalkhola also was faster than the onwards drive, perhaps many sections are patched up in a gap of 2 weeks.
• Covered Dalkhola to Malda before most of barricades were out on road.
• Kaliachak was not very bad at 830am, there was only one signal and crossed it in one go.
• Farakka Bridge had a small diversion, so atop the bridge there was stop-go in one direction, as other half they were sweeping the road.
• Berhampore Bypass almost entirely was diverted into the Northbound lane and road work is going on fully in the southbound so not much pothole issues as reported earlier here.
• Berhampore - Krishnanagar was quick as it was midday.
• 65kms before Mothers Hut, almost every km or two, there are sign boards for Mothers Hut restaurant, something which we didn't see last year. Food was good as always.
• We were crossing Ranaghat around 130pm, and after checking which route to take to reach GQ, found that traffic was building up around Belaghoria, even though Kalyani expressway might have been fast till Nimta, was not sure of how long it would take to GQ and which exact route to take, so decided to stick to the usual Kalyani More - AIIMS Road - Kulia - Jonepur - Mogra - Old Delhi Road to Dankuni. Conditions on this route was more or less similar to last year, just that Kulia - Jonepur as reported in onwards direction has road work done and Ishwar Gupta Setu to Mogra 5km section is now fully under road work. Old Delhi Road is similar to before.

Return timings :
823pm - Fulbari Junction
838pm - Ghoshpukur
847pm - Paschim Madahati Toll (after a quick stop for tea powder shopping)
918pm - Islampur Bypass
949pm - Hotel Tanisha, Kishanganj

627am - Hotel Tanisha, Kishanganj
649am - Dalkhola NH12
715am - Raiganj Bypass
804am - Malda Bypass
839am - Farakka Bridge
945am to 1005pm - slow refilling at IOC Palsanda
1014am - Berhampore Bypass
1144am to 110pm - Mothers Hut, Krishnanagar
154pm - Kalyani More
211pm - Jonepur Signal
228pm - Mogra Old Delhi Road
305pm - Dankuni GQ

• Both onwards and return took drive time of around ~8-8.5hrs+ between Dankuni and Fulbari Junction for the 580+kms.
• Kalyani Expressway is surely faster if sections around Belaghoria are not having jams, else for now Old Delhi - Mogra route would be a safer bet until the Belaghoria - Nimta connection is done.
• The Kalyani More to end of Krishnanagar Bypass is one of the best sections on this route currently along with start of Raiganj Bypass to Dalkhola.

Now some pictures :

At the end of 4km work from Nimta, just before Muragachha More


After Muragachha More where the completed section starts


The completed Chakdaha Flyover


Long and slow Ahiron Bridge Diversion


Typical scenes around Dhulian


Typical Kaliachak scenes


Typical Kaliachak scenes


Raiganj Bypass Railway Bridge (this wasn't open last year so we used to take a diversion)


Many sections of Dalkhola - Kishanganj are like this



2-way on Mahananda Barrage during onwards drive


Many tea powder shops before Paschim Madahati Toll from Ghoshpukur side


Recently opened Hotel Tanisha at Kishanganj is a good stopover, parking is on road but has security and cameras. Excellent rooms and food, but narrow approach road and located in narrow street, better for only night to early morning stayover due to that when roads are empty.




Farraka New Bridge, 2-3 spans are left to be connected


Diversion due to sweeping on Farakka Bridge


Work in Progress on the 2lane bits between Berhampore and Krishnanagar, this one around Rejinagar


After Debagram


Krishnanagar Bypass (notice the signboards for Mothers Hut, this starts from 60-65kms before)


Wonderful Ranaghat Flyovers


Kulia - Jonepur section where road has been expanded


Ishwar Gupta Setu, new bridge work in progress

Folks, what's the best option to bypass Kolkata if one were driving from Bhubaneswar to Siliguri?

Turn right from NH2 onto Old Delhi Road near Dankuni and use that to reach Kampa More and join NH34 at Barajaguli. You will completely bypass Calcutta this way.

I am at Kharagpur tonight and riding towards Siliguri tomorrow.
Google maps is showing two routes - one via Bardhman and other via Kolkata.

Which one is recommended?
The Bardhman one is shorter by 100Km and at this time (Night 8:30pm) Kolkata one is 45min less.

Took the BArdhman route. Its a nice picturesque route but with lots of repair work and traffic in towns. Take only if you are not in a hurry.

Hello,

I have just completed (April 2025) a North Sikkim trip from Kolkata and Kolkata (City) -> Kalyani Expressway -> NH12 (old NH34) from Barajaglui is almost 2x2 (4 lane) all the way now.

I have written the details here in this thread -> https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/offic...ml#post5959442

Night hours seem to be the best possible time to cross this section, given your headlights are good enough. Almost zero local traffic, very minimum track traffic and no congestion in notorious places like Kaliachawk and alike.

One can expect very little single lane sections, just at following places unless some sections are diverted for road work,

• Few kms of the Kanchrapara - Haringhata Road (the connection between Kalyani Expressway and NH12)
• Just couple of kms at Baharampur Railgate
• The entire Farakka Barrage

The road is in poor condition at NH27 (old NH31) between Dalkhola to Kishanganj and beyond, all the way to almost Islampur. However, this section is at good condition in the Kolkata bound lane. On the other hand, Kolkata Bound Lane has some nasty sections in Baharampur bypass section.

Reliance Jio-BP petrol pumps are acting like Govt offices. Although many of them are advertising 24x7 operation, but they are left staff less on approach at night hours. Toilets are locked, not at soul at sight.

I dont see any reason at present for someone to take any other route since this is, at present, the fastest possible route.

Thanks.

Hi All,

I am planning a road trip soon to Arunachal and Meghalaya, from Coimbatore. I plan to visit Konark on the way. After Konark, I have two options shown by GMaps to Siliguri.

Option #1: Via Dhanbad and Purnia,
Option #2: Via Kharagpur and Kolkata.

I see in this thread that some sections of the Kolkata route are congested, and many have mentioned that driving at night is better to avoid this congestion. As I will not be driving after 7:00 PM, what would be the better option between these two routes?

For both the options what would be a good mid-way halt?

Thanks in advance for all the pointers.

Hello,

My personal opinion, take the NH12 (Kharagpur section) but you can easily avoid Kolkata.

Konarak Temple is best viewed at dusk or dawn. I may suggest you to either arrive at Konarak temple region by noon, check in to your night halt at later during afternoon, visit the temple.

In case you miss the slot, and your arrival is delayed at Konarak, you can plan for early morning visit at from 6AM next day. During the summer months, heat and humidity is unbearable after 10/10:30AM

In both cases, you are starting from Konarak either really early in the morning (if you have completed the temple visit previous evening) or you are starting late by 11AM.

For scenario one, where you are starting late by 11AM, take the Konarak - Bhubaneswar road and join NH16. Proceed towards Kolkata but your night halt is to be at around Kolaghat. Considering your cut off time of 7PM.



Sher-e-Punjab or Prantik Retreat ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/zHKpyi3MCkUb3zjN7 ) could be your night stay around Kolaghat, both are on the main highway.

Pushing beyond that point wont do much help since at evening, traffic would waste your time after this and next best halt is at Kalyani, which would be much beyond your cut off time.

For scenario two, where you have visited the temple previous evening, you are going to have a 4 to 6 hours of head start on this same route. I would suggest pushing on in this case till "Kalyani" while bypassing Kolkata all together.

There are two tricky parts (route map) here. First the diversion to old delhi road before Dankuni (expect heavy traffic at this point). Second one is before Kalyani to cross the single lane bridge. Both are under construction section, so diversions make them tricky to navigate.



You are going to continue on NH16 but dont take any Kolkata exits. Merge with NH19 (AH1), old name NH2 (Kolkata - Delhi Road, Durgapur Expressway)



But you are going to divert right after taking this NH19. Just before Dankuni, this junction would come up. Divert to old Delhi Road towards "Mogra".

Old delhi road is double lane almost all the way till the next diversion. Here too, it is under construction. You need to take the Flyover to exit this road towards Kalyani and cross the single lane (cash toll Rs. 10/-) bridge towards Kalyani. Beware, this bridge has strict height restriction (Bus type vehicle can't cross). Ask locals for direction torwads "Kalyani", in case you feel confused or lost.



On the other side of the bridge, you are in Kalyani now, there are plenty of night halt options are available on the main road. Call it a day (with your 7PM cut off) here.

Onwards to Siliguri

In above plan, either you are starting from Kolaghat or you have a good head start from Kalyani.

In case you are starting from Kolaghat, start really early and follow the same route map to reach Kalyani then Kalyani Expressway and divert to Kanchrapara - Haringhata Road towards Barajaguli to join NH12.



Google Maps should take over after this first diversion point with good precision. This first diversion point is called "Kampa More". Even if you miss it or have trouble finding this route, don't worry, there are many connections from Kalyani to NH12 visible in Google Maps. We take this route as it is very wide and relatively easy.

Siliguri or Raiganj or Islampur?

Since you have a cut off time of 7PM, starting from Kalyani, even with some traffic issues, should be doable. You can expect Siliguri (Bagdogra AirPort region) before 7PM.

However, if you are starting from Kolaghat, you may have to consider Raiganj Tourist Lodge (WB Govt Tourism Hotel) as your night halt. https://maps.app.goo.gl/fgwpNhJQ2ca9hmyT8 May be you can push on little further? Depending on traffic and yourself cut off time, you can decide.

In case you are stopping for night before Siliguri, then you can bypass Siliguri city next morning and easily push ahead towards Bengal Assam border.

For Siliguri night halt, I may suggest staying on the highway at around Bagdogra to avoid entering the city at all.

Options are there but none of them are premium like this one -> https://maps.app.goo.gl/j2S53GZM6cVKRcan6

Congestion

There are no city traffic or out of ordinary congestion to be found in this suggested route plan with suggest crossing timings. Yes, after Kolaghat, during evening and late evening hours there are heavy truck & local traffic at times. But traffic wont get stuck. Just irritating at most.

Secondly, bypassing Kolkata for NH12 (Kolkata - Siliguri) via Kalyani would ensure to skip most of the Kolkata City congestions. Yes there are few places like Malda (At Kaliachawk) or Farakka Barrage, but that is nothing to worry about.

Food / Toilet

1. Krishnanagar -> Kozee Kuteer https://maps.app.goo.gl/ty6tQcH3y63aZnWf9 or mothers hut https://maps.app.goo.gl/ty6tQcH3y63aZnWf9

2. Berhampore -> Berhampore Byepass Dhaba https://maps.app.goo.gl/CR5weiExwHmPD4wt9 or at Pappu Da Dhaba https://maps.app.goo.gl/5SqkPd4cERSBdW5p7

3. Malda -> Pardesi Dhaba https://maps.app.goo.gl/cSEcBSkJwfEQ6zRP9

Some of the well-known names for Kolkata Siliguri route

Thanks.

Hello,

I would agree with BHPian NaXal regarding suggested overnight halt at Kalyani. I think BHPian adetour has stayed multiple times at https://maps.app.goo.gl/LMAFcLX6kPibRA6t6 (Akshara Regency on the AIIMS road) while taking this route. Being a day driver myself, I would suggest to start early (~6 am) from Konark, have breakfast at Cuttak/Bhadrak, a bit late lunch at Kolaghat and reach Kalyani before evening. The next day you may start again around 6 am, follow NH12/NH27 and reach Siliguri by 6 pm.

As far as the route is concerned, given the rapidly evolving situation in the last few months, I would suggest you to follow the current suggestion from the Google Maps:

Kolaghat - NH16 - Dankuni interchange - NH12 (Kolkata airport bound Belghoria Expy) - Kalyani Expressway - Kulia Road (for Akshara)

Last month, I did a Kharagpur - Kalyani drive during the evening rush hour following above route. I started around 4:15 pm from Kharagpur and I was at home for dinner at 8 pm! :)

Three months back, I would have taken the route via Old Delhi road as suggested by BHPian NaXal. However, the above route has now become faster, has better surface and least amount of under-construction section (~3 km near the Belghoria Expy - Kalyani Expy crossing).

Best wishes,

Thank you so much for the detailed responses. So, I will choose the Kharagpur route to Siliguri instead of the Dhanbad route.

My plan is to reach Konark by 4:00 PM and visit the temple in the evening itself. I heard there is a sound and light show that I am planning to see. The plan is to see the sunrise and leave early from Konark by 7:00, at the latest by 8:00. So, I will push till Kalyani on this day.

So, there are two options to reach Kalyani. One is through the Delhi road and the other through the Kalyani Expressway. Google Maps is showing the Delhi road route if I plot a route between Kolaghat and Kalyani, and it shows the Kalyani Expressway route if I plot the route from Konark to Kalyani. Maybe this is dynamic and GMaps has some algorithm that chooses between the two routes.

Thanks to your inputs, I have all the waypoints for both options, and I will take care that GMaps does not put me through some uncharted roads on a whim, as it usually does.

Thanks a lot for this list. I will keep this handy for the breaks.

Hello,

I often watch gmhossain in his YouTube channel to learn and stay updated about the Kolkata - Siliguri route. I agree with him about his suggested route being better and faster. I myself take that route often but there is one simple problem

The issue I am concerned of is about the connection between Belghariya Expressway and Kalyani Expressway. This is not yet complete.



There are multiple local roads going down from Belghariya Expressway to Kalyani Expressway, and I as a local have no problem of finding the widest possible alleyway towards the connection point. Google Maps may get an outside traveler in trouble in this section. Especially when his arrival time would be in the evening during office rush hour.

The under-construction flyover has a temporary road connection between these two roads as shown in the above map screenshot. -> https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q2TwvcgEfTLw1CJL6 It is well paved but no signage or marking to inform about it's existence at this point and it is not a local road so it is a direct connection between these two expressways.

One has to be very careful not to miss this connection as otherwise, Google Maps will start showing local connections.

If one is to take this route and miss this connection, best option is to continue till airport / Jessore road, turn left (take the Barasat bound exit) and then turn left again on the Birati Connection to continue and join up with Kalyani Expressway.



There are accommodation options in this section of Belgariya Expressway. Just in case one may need it. But if one can take the little pain of this navigation and get on to Kalyani Expressway, it is always empty and very well paved, so it would be a max 20-25 mins till Kalyani for night halt.

@graaja

What is the car you are coming with? Will you have roof mounted luggage in a SUV? Because in my suggested route, the single lane bridge to cross over to Kalyani has a really low height barrier.





In case you are bringing a tall SUV with roof mounted stuff, then I guess it is better to avoid this section. Since if you get stuck, the detour means coming this way back down to Kolkata to cross the river via Belghariya expressway.

@gmhossain can elaborate better.

Thanks.

Yes, it is dynamic routing. BTW, Google Maps has recently updated its satellite imagery for the Kalyani region. So you can get a fair idea from the satellite views about the ongoing highway construction activities along both the routes.

Here is a 2-week old video. Please watch from 1:00 min to 6:00 min, you would know exactly what you are going to encounter (as you approach along Belghoria Expy from Dankuni side) at the under-construction junction between these two highways. As it stands now, this under-construction connection is much better option compared to its alternatives.

https://youtu.be/yzRq7Sg_T44?t=70

Thank you @NaXaL. I am coming in a Toyota Fortuner without a roof box.

@gmhossain, thank you for the video.

I have noted down the exact location where I have to turn from the Belgharia Expressway to the Kalyani Expressway. I will add this point as a waypoint when I plot the route in GMaps so that I don't miss this.