POTHOLES MAKE TRAVEL PRECARIOUS AT DARJEELING MORE IN SILIGURI Craters on over-bridge worsen traffic snarls

AVIJIT SINHA, TT, 25 July 2019, Siliguri: The road overbridge along NH31 near Darjeeling More has developed craters because of heavy rains, adding to the traffic chaos at the principal entry and exit point of Siliguri.

As bitumen cover came off the bridge over the railway tracks, questions are raised over the structure's safety and it became precarious for thousands of vehicles and two-wheelers every day.

"For any resident of Siliguri, it is a horrible experi- ence to cross Darjeeling More. These days, it takes almost 20 minutes or even halfan-hour to cover the stretch. It is the most congested place in the city and now, the pathetic state of the road overbridge has only worsened the situation," said Samrat Sanyal, a veteran tour operator based here.

In the past few months, traffic congestion at Darjeeling More has become the talk of the town. The social media is flooded with videos and photos taken by the residents.

"No initiative has been taken from any quarter to end the traffic chaos. There is no move from the state government's side to widen the stretch or to talk to the railways to build a second over-bridge at the same spot to ease the traffic congestion. It is learnt that the Centre plans to widen the entire stretch of the national highway with flyovers at the crossing. But till date, no such work has been taken up," said Rajesh Subba, a resident of Pradhannagar in Siliguri.

Many residents and tourists have said a second bridge is immediately required for the safety of people.

The bridge was built long ago and the traffic load it has to bear has increased by several times, they said.

"Every day, over 5,000 children move through the bridge in buses and pool cars as a number of schools are located off NH55 (beyond Darjeeling More). I doubt how safe the bridge is now. A second bridge can ensure better traffic and avert any accident," said Pradip Chakraborty, a retired government employee..