Locals suffer for a road-bridge in Mekhliganj

 

COOCH BEHAR, Aug. 22: The construction of the road-bridge over Saniajan river in Mekhliganj sub-division in Cooch Behar is yet to be completed. The work for it began in 2003. The site of the road bridge is at the entrance of Mekhliganj town from Changrabandha.

 

It was learnt that construction of the road-bridge was started with financial assistance extended from Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) in 2003. The work was scheduled to complete within two years. Since then four years have been passed off but the construction is yet to be completed.

 

Finding no other alternative the locals are using an old iron made bridge to cross the river risking their lives daily. This bridge was constructed during the regime of Maharajas. It was never repaired in the recent past. It is feared that this bridge may collapse any day. As the bridge turned weak and tottering and unusable for heavy traffic the authorities concerned prohibited plying of lorries and vehicles carrying more than 10-ton of goods through this bridge. But there are few takers to obey that order. As a result the condition of this old bridge is getting worse. The initiative to construct a new concrete bridge was taken to replace the old bridge but no one is visibly serious about its completion. It is now merely an election issue, locals alleged.

 

Sources said state food and supply minister Mr Paresh Adhikary, a resident of Mekhliganj, reportedly instructed the concerned officials to complete the work speedily. The public works department was asked to complete the job as early as possible but it is yet uncertain when the bridge will come up for daily use. []