West Bengal

National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.

National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation is a fully owned company of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India. The company promotes, surveys, establishes, designs, builds, operates, maintains and upgrades National Highways and Strategic Roads including interconnecting roads in parts of the country.

Corridors

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Approaches of 2/4-Lane

Mechi bridge

Km 0.00 to Km 13.00 NH-717A Bagrakot-Kafer IV A

Km 13.00 to Km 25.600 NH-717A Bagrakot-Kafer IV B

Rangpo Viaduct

Geographical Location

West Bengal, located in eastern India along the Bay of Bengal, is a vibrant state known for its rich heritage, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality. The state offers a blend of colonial charm, artistic legacy, and intellectual depth. From the grandeur of Victoria Memorial and Indian Museum to the buzzing lanes of College Street, the state is a haven for history buffs and literary souls. West Bengal borders Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, along with Indian states Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim and Assam, making it a crossroads of cultures and traditions. No visit is complete without experiencing Durga Puja, a spectacular festival that transforms the state into a dazzling celebration of devotion, art and community. Whether it's food, festivals, wildlife or heritage—West Bengal offers a sensory journey that captivates every traveller.

Capital: Kolkata | Largest City: Kolkata
Districts: 23 | Total Area: 88752 sq km

West Bengal is a melting pot of cultural influences, renowned for its deep-rooted heritage in art, music, literature, and spirituality. The state boasts distinctive traditions that set it apart—ranging from the soulful strains of folk music genres like Baul and Marfati, to the intricate storytelling of Kantha embroidery, a centuries-old textile art. Religious and cultural life thrives here, with grand festivals such as Durga Puja not only celebrating faith but also serving as vibrant expressions of creativity, community and identity. This cultural richness is woven into everyday life, making West Bengal a living canvas of tradition and artistic expression.

West Bengal is a vibrant tapestry of dance and music, blending classical elegance with rich folk traditions. Here is a brief overview of its most iconic forms:

Dance & Theatre Forms:

Gambhira: A powerful folk dance-drama from North Bengal, performed during festivals like Chaitra Sankranti. Featuring two main characters—often a grandfather and grandson—it uses humour and satire to comment on social and political issues.

Jatra: A dramatic open-air folk theatre blending song, dance, and dialogue. With roots in rural Bengal, Jatra brings mythological tales and historical events to life, often in an exaggerated, emotive style.

Musical Traditions:

Baul: A mystical folk music tradition deeply spiritual in nature. Bauls are wandering minstrels who sing of divine love and inner truth, accompanied by indigenous instruments like the ektara, dotara and khamak.

Rabindra Sangeet: The timeless songs of Rabindranath Tagore, blending classical ragas, folk tunes and Western melodies. These songs explore every human emotion and are integral to Bengal's cultural identity.

Bishnupuri Gharana: The only classical music school native to Bengal, rooted in the Dhrupad tradition. Known for its disciplined yet lyrical compositions, it flourished under royal patronage in Bishnupur during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Together, these forms reflect Bengal’s deep artistic soul—where tradition, devotion and storytelling intertwine seamlessly.`

Bengali cuisine offers a mosaic of flavours, built around the staples of rice and fish and enriched by a wide range of vegetarian and sweet dishes. Here's a glimpse into some beloved Bengali dishes:

Aloo Posto – Tender potato cubes simmered in a smooth, nutty white poppy seed (posto) paste, often enjoyed with plain rice for a comforting meal.

Macher Jhol – A light, aromatic fish stew prepared with seasonal vegetables like potatoes and tomatoes, flavoured with turmeric and mustard seeds.

Kathi Roll – A beloved street-side delicacy where skewered and grilled meat or vegetables are rolled into a flaky paratha, often garnished with onions and chutney.

Dhokar Dalna – Soft, golden-brown lentil cakes made from ground Bengal gram are fried and then cooked in a rich, spiced tomato-based gravy—an iconic vegetarian favourite.

Gohona Bori – Intricate, jewellery-shaped lentil crisps crafted by hand, often served as a crunchy accompaniment or used in traditional vegetable dishes.

It is also famous for its desserts, such as the syrup-soaked Rosogolla, Sondesh and the caramel-kissed Mishti Doi, all testaments to Bengal’s deep-rooted love for sweets.

Durga Puja

The grandest and most iconic festival in West Bengal, Durga Puja is held in the months of September or October. For ten days, the state transforms with elaborate pandals, rhythmic drumbeats, and artistic idols of Goddess Durga. The festival concludes with the ceremonial immersion of the idols in rivers, symbolizing her return to Mount Kailash.

Musical Traditions

Gambhira: A powerful folk dance-drama from North Bengal, performed during festivals like Chaitra Sankranti. Featuring two main characters—often a grandfather and grandson—it uses humour and satire to comment on social and political issues. Jatra: A dramatic open-air folk theatre blending song, dance, and dialogue. With roots in rural Bengal, Jatra brings mythological tales and historical events to life, often in an exaggerated, emotive style.

Rosogolla

It is also famous for its desserts, such as the syrup-soaked Rosogolla, Sondesh and the caramel-kissed Mishti Doi, all testaments to Bengal’s deep-rooted love for sweets.

Tourist Places

Darjeeling

Darjeeling, the "Queen of the Hills," is a charming hill station in West Bengal famed for its panoramic Himalayan views, lush tea gardens, and colonial charm. A magnet for tourists, trekkers, and photographers, it offers a perfect blend of nature and culture. World-renowned for its tea, Darjeeling invites visitors to explore its scenic plantations and discover the art of tea-making. The iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a nostalgic ride through misty hills and winding tracks.

Kolkata

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is fondly known as the "City of Joy," a title popularized by French author Dominique Lapierre. Iconic landmarks like the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu) and Second Hooghly Bridge (Vidyasagar Setu) define the city’s skyline. Blending old-world charm with modernity, Kolkata features both historic structures and contemporary skyscrapers. The city also preserves its colonial past through British-era cemeteries such as the South Park Street Cemetery and the Scottish Cemetery, offering glimpses into its rich historical legacy.

Sundarbans

It is a vast mangrove forest in the Ganges Delta, formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers, stretching from India’s Hooghly River in West Bengal to Bangladesh’s Baleswar River in Khulna. It serves as a vital storm barrier, shoreline stabilizer and sediment trap, while also providing timber, natural resources, and habitat for diverse aquatic and terrestrial life.