Darjeeling, July 8 -- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari virtually inaugurated the Bailey bridge at Dudhia in Darjeeling district on Wednesday. The Chief Minister lauded the efforts of the Indian Army in restoring vehicular connectivity between Siliguri and Mirik by constructing the bridge over the Balason River.
The earlier iron bridge over the Balason was washed away in a flash flood on October 4, 2025. A temporary hume-pipe bridge was subsequently constructed, but it too was washed away on June 19 after the river swelled following heavy rainfall, severing vehicular connectivity between Mirik and Siliguri.
"I thank the Indian Army on behalf of the people of West Bengal. This bridge will help restore connectivity. The Rs 53-crore permanent concrete bridge being built by the state government will be completed by March 2027. I will be present for the inauguration of the permanent bridge then," the Chief Minister said.
He said the state government was closely monitoring the weather situation. "We have to remain vigilant during the monsoon, especially in the Hills. Coordination meetings have been held with the NDRF, Civil Defence and various line departments. We will permanently post a 50-member team of ex-servicemen in the Darjeeling Hills. They will assist during natural calamities," Adhikari said.
He added that a 100-member team of ex-servicemen would also be deployed in Kolkata and a 50-member team at Sagar Island. Until March, the ex-servicemen will be recruited through the Sainik Board, after which Agniveer personnel will be recruited, he said.
"The primary objective of this government is the inclusive development and safety of the Hills," Adhikari said.
The Chief Minister joined the inauguration virtually, while Army officers, district administration officials and Public Works Department (PWD) officials attended the programme from Dudhia.
"The Indian Army is always ready to extend all necessary assistance for the benefit of the public," an Army officer said.
Vehicular traffic will be allowed on the bridge
from Thursday.
"The 60-metre-long bridge can withstand a load of up to nine tonnes. However, only light vehicles weighing up to six tonnes will be allowed initially. The 600-metre approach road will be completed by Thursday, following which the bridge will be opened to vehicular traffic," said Darjeeling District Magistrate Harishankar Panicker.
Earlier, on June 23, the Indian Army's Trishakti Corps had constructed a 34-metre footbridge across the Balason River at Dudhia for pedestrians.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.