DARJEELING,: Two bridges were inaugurated on Sunday at Balabas, about 11 km from
Darjeeling, by Hamro Party leader Ajoy Edwards who was one of the key persons for
the bridges’ construction.
The
concrete bridge was constructed by locals around the area having contributed
with manual labour and materials for it. Edwards played a key role by
contributing the major funds and materials for the bridges.
“I feel
happy that the project of the bridges was completed as a lot of effort has been
put by the people not only financially but also physically. The bridge was made
without the help of the government and was completed within seven months or
so,” said Edwards.
The
completion of the 145-feet long concrete bridge there was finished some months
back with the repair work of the 30-feet long British era hanging bridge
completed only a few days back. However, both bridges were officially
inaugurated only on Sunday.
While the
concrete bridge has been made for locals to commute daily, the hanging bridge
has been repaired as a tourist attraction.
The
concrete bridge will provide connectivity for Darjeeling town with places like
Chungthung, Bijanbari and Soom Tea garden.
On the
other hand, the hanging bridge which has wooden planks has glass fitted in the
middle portion so people can enjoy a bird eye view of the river below it. This
bridge only allows ten people to walk in it at one go.
“Today an
ambulance could also cross the concrete bridge which is an example of the help
it will provide the people in commuting. Earlier people had to travel all the
way from Bijanbari which is a much longer route to reach here,” said Edwards.
Edwards,
through the bridge construction committee, plans to start rock climbing there
along with zip line and a swimming facility among other things as tourist
activities.
Though,
he is from a political party, Edwards has been maintaining that the committee
was non-political in nature.
Speaking
on the issue of the concrete bridge being started in the past but never having
been completed, CPIM leader K. B. Watter said, “It was during the DGHC time when
our party was ruling in the State that the foundation stone of this bridge had
been laid by the PWD department. However, the then DGHC chairman Subash
Ghisingh said he would build it asking that funds for it be transferred to the
DGHC due to which work for it stopped.”
The
uncompleted bridge there only had pillars to show for the project that had
stopped.
“Later
on, another MP provided funds for it and laid the foundation stone with work
also starting for it. However, the MP lost in the elections and no one funded
the work which is why it remained incomplete,” said Watter maintaining that
their demand for the construction of the bridge with the administration and
different leaders fell on deaf ears.
A local
villager, Praveen Ghisingh said, “We are happy with the bridges being made here
and thank Edwards for it. The concrete bridge will prove to be a great help for
us with students being able to go to school in town easily and not having to
rent places in town. Along with that the products of our areas will also be
able to go directly to town.”
