Haldia: The centre is planning to add another 2,000 km of highway to the existing 2,000 km in West Bengal which will attract an investment of Rs.25,000-Rs.30,000 crore, a minister said on Wednesday.

"We want to add another 2,000 km of national highway to the existing 2,000 km in the state", Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said at an event in Haldia.

He was inaugurating a bio-diesel dispensing unit at the Haldia Dock Complex. The bio-diesel for the unit will be supplied by Emami Agrotech.

He said at least Rs.25,000-Rs.30,000 crore will be pumped into West Bengal by the centre on account of the additional 2,000 km highway.

Gadkari said he has plans to meet state's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and ask for her suggestions and proposals on the same.

In December last year, the centre has already announced a Rs.6,000 crore road development package for West Bengal.

The network of efficient highways will ensure seamless connectivity in east India and can help the country to increase its freight carrying capability as well as related logistics in its plans for the SAARC road connectivity plan.

The SAARC road connectivity plan between India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan will enable quicker movement of people and goods across the borders which will benefit the entire region.