Siliguri, April 23, 2026 — Commuters traveling through Siliguri and its surrounding commercial hubs should brace for significant delays today. Authorities have issued a comprehensive traffic bulletin for Thursday, citing multiple ongoing construction projects, bridge closures, and heavy local market (Haat) congestion.
Whether you are heading to the hills, rushing to catch a flight at Bagdogra Airport, or navigating the daily commute, here is everything you need to know to avoid getting stuck in gridlock today.
The Big Bottleneck: Darjeeling More to be Avoided
Ongoing development work at the crucial Darjeeling More Crossing has turned the junction into a major congestion point. Traffic police are strongly advising all commuters and commercial vehicles to avoid this intersection entirely and utilize alternate routes.
Critical Airport and Railway Routing:
To the Hills (Darjeeling, Kurseong, Mirik): Vehicles originating from Bagdogra Airport or NJP Station must strictly avoid Darjeeling More. Instead, take the Noukaghat route via Kawakhali and Khaprail More.
Hills to Bagdogra Airport: Vehicles coming down from Darjeeling towards the airport are also advised to use Khaprail Road.
To NJP Station: Commuters heading to NJP should avoid Sevoke Road. The recommended route is through the Phansidewa Underpass via Kawakhali and Noukaghat.
From Sikkim/Kalimpong to NJP/Airport: Commuters descending from Sikkim and Kalimpong must use the Eastern Bypass via Bhaktinagar Check Post.
Jalpaiguri to Bagdogra Airport: Completely avoid the Darjeeling More junction.
Construction Zones and Bridge Closures
Motorists should exercise extreme caution and maintain safe following distances across several work zones on the highways today:
NH-10 (Siliguri Gate to Champasari More): Major repair and improvement activities are currently underway along this stretch.
NH-10 (Salugara): An active work zone is present on the main carriageway.
Sahudangi–Ambari Link Bridge (Teesta Canal, Canal More): This bridge is completely closed to facilitate the construction of a new bridge. Commuters traveling between Belacoba/Siliguri and Ambari/Sahudangi must detour via Nawapara More.
Local “Haat” Traffic Warnings
Thursday is a major market day in several pockets, which will heavily slow down vehicular movement. Local commuters traversing these areas should budget extra travel time:
Bagdogra Haat (Bagdogra): Slow movement is expected throughout the day from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Ektiasal Haat (Ashighar): Traffic will crawl from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Balaram Haat (Canal Road): Expect heavy congestion during the late afternoon and evening, specifically from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Goods Vehicle Restrictions
To prevent total gridlock within the town limits, the movement of heavy goods vehicles towards the city center has been strictly restricted today.
Trucks and lorries coming from the Bagdogra side or Paribahan Nagar must use the Phansidewa Underpass instead of Darjeeling More.
Goods vehicles descending from Sikkim and Kalimpong are instructed to bypass Champasari and Darjeeling More entirely by taking the Eastern Bypass.
