Nearly three weeks after the torrential rains and devastating landslides hit North Bengal, causing widespread damage in the area, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said that the construction of an alternative hume pipe bridge at Dudhia, linking Mirik in Darjeeling district to Siliguri has been completed within 16 days and normal traffic will resume from Monday.

“I am happy to inform you that the construction of the alternative Hume Pipe Bridge (Vented Causeway) at Dudhia, connecting Mirik with Siliguri, has been successfully completed. Normal traffic will resume over it from tomorrow,” the chief minister said.

On October 5, floods damaged the Balason river’s iron bridge, cutting off the 52km Mirik-Siliguri route and the construction work began on October 10.

The 468m-long bridge, with a 72m Hume pipe causeway (8m wide) has been built using 132 Hume pipes.

“The old bridge, constructed in 1965, had become structurally vulnerable and therefore, the Government of West Bengal had already sanctioned the construction of a new bridge at a cost of Rs 54 crore, which is currently progressing in full swing. I deeply appreciate the commendable work of PWD, West Bengal, for accomplishing this challenging task in a record time of 16 days, thereby restoring this vital link and bringing significant relief to local residents and commuters,” the CM posted on social media.

CM Banerjee had visited Dudhia on October 7, and had instructed the officials to put up a temporary bridge in order to restore connectivity through the bridge within 15 days.

As the old bridge was damaged the residents of Mirik and adjoining areas faced difficulties in commuting to Siliguri and vice-versa. People were using an alternate hilly route through Tingling, Belgachi and Putung to reach Siliguri, but after an accident on that route, which claimed four lives, the administration had stopped all vehicle movement on that stretch.