The
Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has decided to beautify the
Victoria Falls and its surroundings by building a steel bridge alongside
the existing one that connects several remote villages of Darjeeling
sub-division.
The 110-feet long Victoria Falls Bridge
was built by the British way back in 1912 and has long outlived its age
and weathered both natural and man-made calamities. “The existing bridge
is very old and the risk of accidents is high as heavy vehicles pass
through it regularly. If a steel bridge is constructed parallel to it,
the old bridge will continue standing and we need not worry about
accidents taking place,” said Sonam Bhutia, executive director of the
GTA tourism department.
He added vehicles will be permitted to
use the new bridge only when it is fully completed. Meanwhile, the old
bridge will be strictly for pedestrians after conducting necessary
repairs and renovation.
GTA chief executive Bimal Gurung
inspected the Victoria Falls area On Friday morning along with executive
engineers of the council and Darjeeling municipality officials.
Set right in front of a natural
waterfall, the Victoria Falls Bridge was a popular tourist destination
till the mid-80s and the neighbourhood has also come to be known by that
name. Pony-mounted tourists would come to the area from Chowrastha to
take pictures of the beautiful waterfall and the breathtaking
Kanchenjunga range in the backdrop.
But the waterfall has dried up over the
years and the spot has turned into a garbage dump site. Concrete
buildings have mushroomed in the area blocking the view of the mountain
range, prompting travel agents to drop Victoria Falls from their tour
itinerary.
The GTA is hopeful of restoring the lost
glory of the place after the construction of a new bridge and
beautification work. “The approach road to the area is very narrow, but
this disadvantage can be offset by rejuvenating the place. Both tourists
and locals will be able to enjoy the beauty of the place from the old
bridge without needing to keep an eye out for approaching vehicles,”
said Bhutia.
At the outset, the GTA will conduct a
survey of the area following which a detailed project report will be
prepared. It will then float public tenders for the construction work.
Birman Singh, general secretary of the Victoria Falls Protection Society
that was established in 2004, welcomed
the GTA’s decision to beautify the area and build a new bridge. He said,
“The protection of the century-old bridge including the entire locality
is of utmost necessity. The bridge is a heritage site standing on a
popular tourist destination. Both need to be preserved and promoted.”
(EOIC)
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