Siliguri is the center of business activity including Tourism. Darjeeling, Dooars, Kalimpong, Gangtok and Pelling is well connected with Siliguri i.e. New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) / Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus (SNT).
SILIGURI
Siliguri is a developing metropolis in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in a very narrow strip of land linking mainland India to its north eastern states. It is also the transit point for air, road and rail traffic to the neighboring countries of Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Bangladesh. The town hosts over 500,000 domestic and 15,000 foreign visitors annually.
Darjeeling, Gangtok, Pelling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Guwahati, Silchar and the North Eastern States of India are connected to Siliguri and have no by pass or any other alternate route. Even Thimphu in Bhutan, Kathmandu, Biratnagar in Nepal, and Dhaka in Bangladesh are well connected with Siliguri. Planning for International highway passing through Siliguri to Tibet is not a dream any more. Trade with China through Tibet has commenced from July 2006.
Bhutan, Nepal, China and Bangladesh are one to six hour drive from Siliguri. From July 2007 China is assessable by Nathula pass. Trade has commenced with China and is expected to grow exponentially. The East – West Corridor Four lane Expressway connecting Silchar (Assam) and Porbandar (Gujarat) passes through this town. Siliguri is the base town for all tourists / trekkers / traders / transporter to Eastern, N.E.States and adjacent Countries.
Siliguri and its Links / communication – The City of Siliguri connected with its own Airport, Bus terminus and Railway station. Bagdogra Airport / Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus / New Jalpaiguri Railway station is the nodal point to Darjeeling, Sikkim, Kalimpong along with other North Eastern States like Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh etc. and neighboring countries like Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and Bangladesh etc. The Royal Government of Bhutan also operates buses from Siliguri to the Bhutanese capital Thimphu. Places like Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Mirik, Sikkim and all other tourist spots are interlinked with National Highway number 31 and each road basically reaches south to the town of Siliguri.
BAGDOGRA AIRPORT (IXB)
Bagdogra Airport near Siliguri can be reached by a road, railways and airways. It is a half an hour i.e. approximately 10 kilometers. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Spice Jet and Air Deccan are the five major carriers that fly to Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Guwahati. The closest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) which is a half an hour approximately 8 kilometers.
Siliguri has three important railway stations which is rare occurrence for any city in the world. They are as follows .
SILIGURI TOWN STATION
This is the oldest station in the area. Opened on 23 Aug, 1880 during the British Rule, this station used to be the terminus for the trains coming from Calcutta, and the starting point for the world – famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway for journey to Darjeeling.
SILIGURI JUNCTION STATION
This station opened in 1949, and used to be the point of departure of all trains to the north – eastern states, until the broad gauge was extended to Dibrugarh in Assam. Siliguri Junction is perhaps the only station in the whole of the world with all the three gauges of tracks. Broad, Meter and Narrow Gauge still exist here.
NEW JALPAIGURI RAILWAY STATION
The most important railway Junction is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and is situated 10 kilometers away from Siliguri. It is well connected to New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and the rest of the country. NJP is directly connected with all major stations in North East India and the Dooars. Chalsa, Malbazar, Alipurduar and Rajabhatkhawa are the nearest railway station in Dooars. Indian Railways is contemplating to run a special train named the Dooars on Wheels, between Siliguri and Cooch Behar. There is a broad gauge railway service passing through Dooars connecting Cooch Behar with Kolkata via New Jalpaiguri (NJP railway station near Siliguri). World famous Darjeeling Himalaya Railway starts its journey from NJP.
HERITAGE RAILWAY
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a steam railway service is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a daily steam engine service (since 1890) that runs from Kurseong at 1,458 meters to Darjeeling at a height of 2,134 meters. It is a total journey of eight hours.
Connectivity Form Gangtok- Capital city of Sikkim
By Air – Bagdogra Airport (IXB) is approximately 122 kilometers away and is served by regular Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Spice Jet and Air Deccan are the five major carriers that fly to Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Guwahati. Helicopter service has recently been introduced from Bagdogra airport (IXB).
By Rail – New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is approximately 124 kilometers away i.e. 3 ½ – 4 hours is the nearest mainline rail head for Gangtok. New Jalpaiguri is well connected to the rest of India.
By Road – It is well connected with NH 31 A and is 117 kilometers away from Siliguri; Darjeeling is 95 Kilometers i.e. 4 hours drive. Kalimpong is approximately 75 Kilometers i.e. 3 hours. The road is beautiful and is accompanied by river Teesta throughout. Pelling is approximately 117 kilometers.
Connectivity Form Darjeeling
By Air – Bagdogra Airport (IXB) is approximately 80 kilometers away and is served by regular Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Spice Jet and Air Deccan. These are the five major carriers that fly to Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Guwahati. There are flights from Kolkata, Guwahati and Delhi. It is well connected to the rest of India. Helicopter service has recently been introduced from Bagdogra airport (IXB).
By Rail – New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is approximately 82 kilometers away and is the furthest and nearest railway station for Darjeeling. As Darjeeling has a narrow gauge Junction but Siliguri station has all the three gauges i.e. Narrow, Meter and Broad.
By Road – Offshoot of 77 kilometers from National Highway no 31 is Darjeeling. It is approximately 82 kilometers from Bagdogra Airport (IXB). It is a little over a 95 kilometers from Gangtok, and approximately 45 kilometers from Kalimpong. Darjeeling is well connected to Siliguri by a distance of approximately 80 kilometers.
Heritage Railway – The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a steam railway service is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a daily steam engine service (since 1890) that runs from Kurseong at 1,458 meters to Darjeeling at a height of 2,134 meters. There is a daily steam engine service between Kurseong and Darjeeling every morning. You can also avail New Jalpaiguri – Darjeeling toy train service. The station on route are New Jalpaiguri – Siliguri Town – Siliguri Junction – Sukna – Rangtong – Tindharia – Gayabari – Mahanadi – Kurseong – Tung – Dilaram – Sonada – Rangbul – Jor Bungalow – Ghoom – Darjeeling. It is a total journey of eight hours.
Connectivity Form Kalimpomg – Hill Subdivision Of Darjeeling
By Air – Bagdogra Airport (IXB) is approximately 80 kilometers away and is served by regular Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Spice Jet and Air Deccan. These are the five major carriers that fly to Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Guwahati. Indian Airlines, Air Deccan and Jet Airways. It is well connected to the rest of India. Helicopter service has recently been introduced from Bagdogra airport (IXB).
By Rail – The nearest railhead connecting the rest of India is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), located on the outskirts of Siliguri approximately 80 kilometers from Kalimpong. It is also approachable from Bagrakot Railway Station.
By Road – Offshoot of 77 kilometers from National Highway no 31 is Kalimpong. It is a little over a 95 kilometers from Gangtok, and approximately 55 kilometers from Darjeeling. Kalimpong is located off the National Highway 31 – A, which links Siliguri to Gangtok. It is 21 kilometers from National Highway no 31 A.
Connectivity Form Dooars – Wild Life Center Of West Bengal
Airways – Bagdogra Airport (IXB) is 145 kilometers from Jaldapara. Bagdogra is served by regular Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Spice Jet and Air Deccan. These are the five major carriers that fly to Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Guwahati. It is well connected to the rest of India. Helicopter service has recently been introduced from Bagdogra airport (IXB).
Railways – The most important railway Junction is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and is situated 10 kilometers away from Siliguri. NJP is directly connected with all major stations in India and the Dooars. Chalsa and Rajabhatkhawa is the nearest railway station in Dooars. Indian Railways is contemplating to run a special train named the Dooars on Wheels, between Siliguri and Cooch Behar.
Roadways – Jaldapara is connected by National Highway Number 31 with Siliguri which is 140 kilometers away and can be reached by car within 3 – 4 hours. Jaldapara / Hollong / Buxa Tiger Reserve are all very close to the National Highway. NH 31 passes through Chapramari Forests, Gorumara National Park, Murti, Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary and Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary. Bit away from the NH 31 lays Neora Valley National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve.
Nearest town – Lataguri and Malbazar. Bit away is town like Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Jaigoan and Jalpaiguri (city).