Suvendu attends inauguration of bailey bridge in Dudhia, Siliguri-Mirik connectivity restored

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari attended the inauguration of a Bailey bridge over the Balasan River at Dudhia in the state’s Darjeeling district, through a virtual program on Wednesday.

With the inauguration of the bridge, normal connectivity between Siliguri and the tourist destination of Mirik was restored. The bridge was constructed by the Indian Army after the earlier diversion was washed away by heavy rain.

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Darjeeling District Magistrate Harishanker Panicker formally inaugurated the bridge at the spot by cutting the ribbon in the presence of Army officers, civil administration officials, local representatives and residents.

The temporary diversion across the Balasan was washed away on 19 June following incessant rainfall in the Darjeeling hills, snapping road communication between Siliguri and Mirik and causing hardship to commuters, tourists and local residents.

Responding to a request from the state and district administrations, the Army first installed a footbridge to restore pedestrian movement before undertaking construction of the Bailey bridge.

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, Minister of State Vishal Lama and other officials also welcomed the restoration of this vital road link.