Siliguri/Raiganj, Feb. 5: The commencement of the construction of Dalkhola bypass has been hit by another hurdle with the lowest bid quoted for the project is 40 per cent higher than the estimated cost.

The 5.5km bypass of NH34 had been conceived by the National Highways Authority of India around 13 years ago and there was weak response to four tenders previously.

D.K. Hansaria, the project director of the NHAI in Malda, said unless the Centre sanctioned more funds, the lowest bid for the fifth tender couldn't be accepted.

The NHAI had invited the fifth tender in September last year with an estimated cost of Rs 85.62 crore.

"This time, we got three bids from different construction firms. However, even the lowest bidder has quoted an amount around 40 per cent higher than our estimate. Our estimate was made earlier and in the meanwhile, construction costs have escalated. We have written to the Union ministry of road transport and highways, seeking approval for additional funds. Unless we receive more funds, we cannot issue work order to the lowest bidder," said Hansaria.

Sources in the NHAI said it had drawn the estimate of Rs 85.62 crore around four-five years back.

The construction of the bypass that includes a road over bridge (ROB) is necessary to reduce traffic congestion in Dalkola where commuters at times need two hours to cross a railway level crossing.

Dalkhola is around 50km from Raiganj and around 130km from Siliguri. It is close to Purnia More, the junction of NH31 and NH34.

All vehicles travelling from north Bengal and the Northeast to Calcutta and other destinations in south Bengal take NH34. The plan is to build the bypass that starts near Purnia More and enters Dalkhola before ending at Mohammadpur.

Traffic slows down in Dalkhola mainly because of the railway level-crossing.

As the project was not taking off even a decade after it had been proposed, students of Dalkhola High School had set up a road blockade in September last year demanding immediate construction of the bypass. The blockade was lifted after the North Dinajpur district administration had promised that work would start by December.

Tariq Anwar, a student of Dalkhola High School, said they would soon start an indefinite road blockade if the NHAI didn't commence the construction.

"Over a month has passed since the deadline ended. We face a lot of inconvenience and accidents often occur on NH34 because of the absence of a bypass. If work does not commence shortly, we would again raise a road blockade and this time, it will be for an indefinite period," Anwar said.

A civil contractor in Siliguri said the Dalkhola bypass would be delayed further if if the ministry approved a revised estimate lower than the lowest bid.

"Additional funds are required for the project and the NHAI officials are pursuing the matter with the ministry concerned. We hope the approval for more funds will be granted soon," Ayesha Rani A, the district magistrate of North Dinajpur said.