Mathabhanga bridge fights for survival

 

COOCH BEHAR, Aug. 24: A road bridge that connected Mathabhanga town with rest of Cooch Behar district is lying unattended for years. The bridge was constructed about 35-years ago and named after the legendary Bhawaiya artiste Abbasuddin. The condition of this much important bridge is getting worse day by day due to lack of regular maintenance. Weeds and parasitic plants are making the condition even worse. Locals alleged that the public works department and others concerned are paying no heed to the need to repair it to keep it usable. Chairman of Mathabhanga Municipality Mr Arun Chaudhury however assured that he would look into the matter.

 

The Abbasuddin Setu is situated along the road at the entrance of Mathabhanga town. There is no arrangement of light on this bridge and this turned it a centre of antisocial activities, district Trinamul Youth Congress president Mr Shibendra Nath Roy alleged. He mentioned that there was arrangement of illumination on this bridge when Mathabhanga town was under a town committee. Now the town is under care of Mathabhanga Municipality but the bridge stays dark at night. He feared that Mathabhanga might be disconnected from outer world by road communication if this bridge collapses any day. He alleged that neither the civic body nor the PWD taking any interest to improve the condition of this bridge.

 

The general secretary of Cooch Behar district unit of All India Youth League Mr Gopal Dey demanded immediate renovation and painting of the bridge. He also demanded regular maintenance of the bridge to keep it usable for years to come.

 

When contacted, the chairman of Mathabhanga Municipality Mr Arun Chaudhury said that he would take up the matter with the officials of public works division. He claimed that the civic body had arranged lighting on both sides of the bridge, as there is a cremation ground nearby. He assured that if needed they will add more lights there. A senior official of public works division said they were considering a plan for thorough renovation of the Abbasuddin bridge. []