DARJEELING,: A protest rally was organized Thursday by Som Singtam Chungthung Liza Hill Coordination Committee (SSCLHCC), demanding the resumption of repair works on the Baluwabash concrete bridge.
The bridge, constructed earlier this year with the support of Hamro Party leader Ajoy Edwards and local contributions, was damaged during heavy rainfall on October 3.
The 145-foot-long concrete bridge, inaugurated on August 18, serves as a crucial link connecting Darjeeling town to areas such as Chungthung, Bijanbari and Soom Tea Garden. Its repair was halted following a statement by Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) PRO, citing the need for administrative permission for construction or repair work on bridges and roads.
SSCLHCC coordinator Adarsh Tamang said the protest was not politically motivated but rather a community-led initiative.
“Everyone says Ajoy Edwards built the bridge, but it was the locals who contributed manual labour and materials with Edwards providing significant financial and material support,” Tamang stated.
The bridge’s construction was a collaborative effort by locals who relied on it for daily commuting. Alongside the concrete bridge, a 30-foot-long British-era hanging bridge in the area was also repaired earlier this year to boost tourism.
Tamang criticized the administration for their inaction. “For years, we have requested the administration to build this bridge but they neither took action nor allowed us to complete it ourselves,” he said.
In response to the halted repairs, the committee submitted a memorandum to the district administration, urging them to permit the continuation of repair work on the bridge.
GTA PRO S.P. Sharma had recently stated that any private construction of bridges or roads requires administrative approval and a formal survey. This directive has left the concrete bridge’s future uncertain, further aggravating the locals who depend on it for connectivity.