West Bengal Set for Major Road Infrastructure Expansion: Minister Dr. Ajay Kumar Poddar

Kolkata: West Bengal is set to witness a significant expansion and modernisation of its road infrastructure, with the State Government placing renewed emphasis on improving highways, bridges, arterial roads and regional connectivity, said Dr. Ajay Kumar Poddar, Minister-in-Charge, Public Works Department (PWD) and Public Health Engineering Department (PHE), Government of West Bengal.

Dr. Poddar was speaking at the conclave on “Road Infrastructure & Development in West Bengal”, organised by Launcherz in association with Maheshwari International Business Foundation (MIBF) at Hindustan Club, Kolkata. The conclave brought together representatives from the government, infrastructure, engineering, business and industry sectors to deliberate on the future of road connectivity and infrastructure development in the state.

The event was attended by Mr. Shankar Lal Agarwal, Chairman, Infrusion Engineering Limited, and Mr. Basant Kumar Parakh, Chairman, Orbit Group, as Guests of Honour. Mr. Rajiv Lodha, Founder, Launcherz, also participated in the conclave.

Highlighting the State Government’s infrastructure vision, Dr. Poddar spoke about key initiatives, including proposals for the development of Inner and Outer Ring Roads for Kolkata, expansion and strengthening of highways and bridges, and improved connectivity between different regions of West Bengal. He noted that better road infrastructure would help ease traffic congestion, enhance mobility and provide a stronger foundation for economic and industrial growth.

Dr. Ajay Kumar Poddar, Minister-in-Charge, Public Works Department and Public Health Engineering Department, Government of West Bengal, said, “West Bengal is poised for a new era of infrastructure development. We are working towards developing both an Inner Ring Road and an Outer Ring Road for Kolkata, with the involvement of leading engineering institutions to ensure world-class planning and execution. Going forward, we are also focusing on integrating utility corridors into new road projects to prevent repeated digging and damage to roads. By adopting innovative technologies, sustainable engineering practices and better coordination between departments, our objective is to build a stronger and better-connected West Bengal. Together, we are committed to restoring Bengal to its rightful place at the forefront of India’s growth and development.”

The Minister also emphasised the importance of adopting modern engineering practices and ensuring better coordination among different agencies involved in infrastructure development. The integration of utility corridors into road projects, he noted, could help minimise repeated excavation and reduce damage to newly developed road networks.

Mr. Rajiv Lodha, Founder, Launcherz, said, “Infrastructure is the backbone of West Bengal’s future growth and economic development. This conclave provides an important platform for government and industry stakeholders to exchange ideas, discuss challenges and explore opportunities for collaboration. Meaningful dialogue between policymakers and industry can help identify practical solutions, encourage investments and contribute to building a stronger, better-connected and more progressive Bengal.”

The discussions at the conclave focused on strengthening existing road networks, improving regional connectivity, developing sustainable and technology-driven infrastructure, addressing implementation challenges and creating an enabling environment for greater investment in the state’s infrastructure sector.

The conclave further highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration between the government, engineering institutions, infrastructure companies and other stakeholders to accelerate the development of a modern, resilient and efficient road network across West Bengal.