Kalimpong bridges under scanner

Kalimpong, Nov. 8: At least three suspension bridges in Kalimpong are in a shambles, putting at risk the lives of hundreds of villagers who cannot afford the jeep rides to town.

The bridges over kholas or streams connect Kalimpong’s Relli to Primtam, Khani and Yok and the other adjoining hamlets.

Villagers prefer the bridges to the shared jeep rides, which cost Rs 60 each for a more than a two-hour journey. On the other hand, on foot, the travel time is half an hour.

For instance, hundreds of school and college students from Primtam, Kangeybong and Lower Kafer walk the Relli-Primtam bridge every day. So precarious is the walkway that only two or three persons can be on it at a time. The wooden planks have disappeared at places and the ones that exist are in a state of decay.

The balancing rods on either side holding up the ropes have disappeared while the bolts and screws of those in place have come off. The bridge shakes when someone walks on them.

“The bridge was constructed way back in 1967. The 102-metre long and 85ft high bridge is in such a dilapidated condition because of zero maintenance that the possibility of a Bijanbari rerun cannot be ruled out,” said Nima Tamang, a farmer from Primtam. Thirty-three people were killed when the walkway over the Little Rangit in Bijanbari collapsed last month.

After the tragedy, Darjeeling district magistrate Saumitra Mohan issued a circular asking for fitness certificates from all government agencies that are in charge of bridges and buildings in the hills.

In fact, the Kalimpong Engineering Division (KED), which looks after the maintenance of the Relli bridges, prepared an estimate for the repair of the Relli-Primtam and Relli-Khani connectors last week.

A KED official said the Relli-Yok bridge was beyond repair and a completely new structure will have to be constructed. “The other two bridges can be repaired for Rs 11-12 lakh each,” said the official.

He admitted that the condition of all three bridges was very bad. “It is true that the bridges have not been repaired for ages. Of the three, the condition of the Relli-Khani bridge is relatively better. But these bridges are for the brave hearted only,” the official added. The Relli-Khani bridge is 111.6 metres in length and 120 feet high while the Relli-Yok bridge is 120 metres long and 90 feet high.

Kamal Rai, who hikes from Yok to Kalimpong to sell vegetables on Wednesdays and Saturdays, said pleas to repair the bridges had been unheard.

“Only the young and firm can walk on them. Others are forced to take a shared jeep, which is very expensive,” he said. Rai said it takes about two-and-half hours to reach Kalimpong by road but a mere half an hour on foot.

TT