A bridge too far at Balabhut in Tufanganj

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 8: Foundations were laid for two times for a much-awaited bridge over Raidak-I river in Tufanganj but it is yet to be completed. Public works (roads) department officials however claimed that the work would be completed before the next monsoon.

 

There was a proposal pending for a long for construction of a bridge over Raidak-I river at Balabhut in Tufanganj sub-division. Prior to different polls the political leaders visit the area and give assurance of construction of the bridge. It became a regular practice for them. But the local residents are still suffering as they did in previous years. Everyday, they have to cross the river by small country boats.

 

Presently, the villagers of Jhaukuthi have to pass a long way through areas in neighbouring Assam to go to Tufanganj town. To cross a distance of 20-kilometre they have to cross about 45-kilometre, locals alleged.

 

Raidak-I river has cross-sectioned Balabhut Gram Panchayat area into two parts. Four rivers – Gadadhar, Torsa, Raidak-I and Kaljani – met in this area in unison. They play havoc during the monsoons each year. A bridge is very essential to connect the two parts that are divided by Raidak-I but the proposal is yet to be materialised.

 

Foundation for a bridge was laid in 2001 and again in 2006. A number of leaders too appeared there to extend promises of building of the bridge. At last, foundation work of six wells of the 150-metre long bridge completed recently but pillars on these are yet to be constructed.   

 

When asked about the progress of the bridge, the executive engineer of PWD (Roads), Highway division, Cooch Behar, Mr Deepak Kumar Singh said construction of piers on the six wells began. He assured that the Rs 5-crore bridge might be completed before the next monsoon or at the end of this year.

 

As there is no metal road on the other side of the bridge a survey was initiated to make one. About nineteen villages are there on the other end of the bridge. Assam is about 1.5-kilometre from the site. "Assam government already constructed a road in their side and we are to make a link with that by constructing a new road", Mr Singh said. It will also connect the National Highway-31, he said.

 

The estimated cost for the link road is Rs 8-crore. Land acquisition will be needed for the proposed 2.5-kilometre road. After completion of the entire project Balabhut will be connected with Agamoni in Assam, Mr Singh said. The distance of Tufanganj town from Balabhut will also be reduced once the bridge opened for traffic movement, he said. []

 

PHOTO : Construction of the much-awaited bridge over Raidak-I river. At Balabhut of Tufanganj in Cooch Behar.