Insta
West Bengal: After Kolkata, A Bridge Now Collapses In Siliguri
Swarajya Staff
Sep 07, 2018, 05:23 PM | Updated 05:23 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Yet another bridge has collapsed within a week’s time in Bengal, after the fall of the Majerhat bridge in Kolkata on 4 September, which killed at least three people, and trapped several others.
Phansidewa bridge near Siliguri collapsed on Friday (7 September) when a truck was carrying materials from one end of the bridge to the other. The bridge connects Rakhalganj and Manganj.
Bengal Tourism Minister Gautam Deb reached the site to inspect the matter.
West Bengal: Goutam Deb, Minister of Tourism, visited the spot where a canal bridge in Siliguri's Phansidewa collapsed early morning today. (pic 1) Forensic team has also been called by Darjeeling police. pic.twitter.com/nDX03d27Mb
— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2018
As per a Press Trust of India report, the incident happened at about 9.30 AM, when the centre of the bridge gave way. The North Bengal Development Minister Rabindranath Ghosh said that heavy vehicles were banned on the bridge.
Also following the collapse of the Majerhat bridge, a committee led by Chief Secretary Malay Kumar De has been formed to investigate the reasons for the collapse. Majerhat bridge connected the Kolkata port to the southwest of the city.
He added that due to the collapse of the bridge, and restrictions imposed on vehicular movements with heavy goods, will affect dispatches to Nepal, since the land-locked neighbouring country has been importing construction material through Kolkata port, which normally ships the bigger containers.
CM Mamata Banerjee informed that the state administration has been directed to clear all unauthorised settlements under flyovers. Displaced will be resettled, she said, according to Mint.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.