Bridge under construction to connect NH 10 and NH 717A collapses

YOWAN MOTHAY, EOI, KALIMPONG, MARCH 2, 2023: The steel bridge under construction in the middle part of Yangmakum Gram Panchayat and Pabringtar Gram Panchayat on river Leesh collapsed at 8 o'clock on Wednesday night. 

The bridge was being constructed for the past one and a half years at a cost of Rs 12 crore. About 60 percent of the construction work had been completed. It was believed that because the steel beam of the bridge had been installed only on one side, it collapsed due to heavy weight on one Bridge under construction to connect NH 10 and NH 717A collapses side. 

The bridge collapsed when the construction workers had gone for dinner. The bridge was being built to connect NH 717A with NH 10. It would have also connected Chuikhim with National Highway 717A and Makum Zarayotar with National Highway 10.

It has come as a surprise that the bridge collapsed in the dry season when there was no water in the river. District Magistrate of Kalimpong R. Vimala said no casualty was reported. 

Engineers were assessing the technical reasons for the collapse of the bridge and planning the restoration work.