Balason bridge opens to traffic today

For the past 43 days, vehicles bound for Siliguri and beyond and moving in from western sides and vice-versa, had to take a longer detour via Asian Highway II

A height gate on Asian Highway II on the way to Balason river bridge that details permitted weight and speed of vehicles.: Passang Yolmo

TT Correspondent   |   Siliguri   |   03.12.21: Vehicular movement will resume on Balason river bridge on NH31, northwest of Siliguri, from Friday afternoon, senior officials of Siliguri Metropolitan Police said here on Thursday.

Since October 20, traffic on the bridge has been disrupted as one of its pillars tilted and a part of the concrete plank of the bridge subsided in the impact of the swollen Balason river.

For the past 43 days, vehicles bound for Siliguri and beyond and moving in from western sides and vice-versa, had to take a longer detour via Asian Highway II.

“The Bailey bridge installed by the state PWD on the Balason bridge], is ready. At our end, we have made all necessary arrangements for safer and smoother movement of traffic through the bridge. From 12.30pm tomorrow (Friday), we will allow vehicles to ply on the bridge,” Gaurav Sharma, the commissioner of Siliguri Metropolitan Police, said.

He added the Bailey bridge has a weight limit and hence some categories of vehicles will not be allowed to ply on the bridge.

“We will allow vehicles weighing up to 15 tonnes. Among these include two and three wheelers, school buses, cars and other passenger vehicles. E-rickshaws, rickshaws and rickshaw vans however, will not be allowed,” said Sharma.

The senior police officer said that movement of all goods vehicles will be restricted on the bridge.

“Trucks, buses which have capacities of over 42 seats, Volvos, and even trucks of defence and other security forces can’t move on this bridge. Other vehicles of defence and other forces can use the bridge,” the commissioner added.

According to him, as the width of the Bailey bridge is 4.25 metres, vehicles will move in one-a-side manner on the bridge.

The police, sources said, have installed signals on both ends of the bridge, along with guard rails and height barriers.

“We have also raised a traffic outpost at Balason. A sub-inspector is in charge of the outpost and he will monitor traffic movement through the bridge round the clock. Also, we will keep vigil on the site through six CCTV cameras and a watchtower,” said an officer.   

The state PWD, sources said, has put around 20 halogen lights in the spot for traffic ease after sundown.

The announcement has come as a major relief for thousands of commuters.

“It is good that the route is finally reopening. We hope the state government also takes up necessary initiatives with the Centre for a new bridge parallel to this one, keeping in mind the amount of traffic in and around Siliguri,” said Sisir Das, a bank employee and daily commuter along this route.

(https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/balason-bridge-opens-to-traffic-today/cid/1841638)