Darjeeling MP Announces Tender Process for New Coronation Bridge in North Bengal

KalimNews, Kalimpong, November 27, 2025: Darjeeling MP Raju Bista announced today that the tender process for the construction of a new bridge as an alternative to the iconic Coronation Bridge will be initiated in December 2025. The new bridge is part of a larger effort to enhance infrastructure in the region, particularly in the strategically significant Siliguri-Darjeeling-Kalimpong-Sikkim corridor, which connects several key areas, including Dooars, and the Northeastern states. The new bridge will reduce traffic congestion, especially during peak tourist seasons and during natural disasters, when the ageing Coronation Bridge might be compromised.

Bista, in his announcement, expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the long-delayed project, which he has been advocating for since his election in 2019. “I am happy to share that the tender for the alternative to Coronation Bridge will be undertaken by December 2025,” Bista said. 

He highlighted that the construction of a new bridge connecting Ellenbari in the NH17 to Sevoke in the NH10 has been a long-standing demand of the people from the region, who have suffered from the limitations of the existing bridge. 

Despite the Central Government's allocation of ₹1,190.4 crore for the project, Bista explained that jurisdictional delays had stalled progress. However, the project's responsibility was officially transferred from the West Bengal Public Works Department (PWD) – NH Division to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in 2025. Bista, who has been actively involved in resolving these issues, held a meeting with NHAI officials and visited the Coronation Bridge to discuss the way forward. He revealed that the new bridge and approach road will be part of a larger plan that includes the Siliguri Ring Road and an Expressway connecting Siliguri to Gorakhpur, further modernising the region's transportation network.

“While the rest of the project is being taken up phase by phase, the tender process for the new bridge and approach road will begin in December, and construction will commence immediately after that,” Bista added. The project aims to ease the traffic burden on the Coronation Bridge, which serves as a vital link between Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim, Siliguri, the Doars, and the Northeastern states. The new bridge will complement the existing structure, enhancing safety and improving the region's overall infrastructure.

He commended the work of various social organisations and NGOs, which have joined him in advocating for the construction of the new bridge.

The proposed project to connect NH10 with NH17 includes a 6.85 km stretch encompassing the main bridge (approximately 1.3 km long) and approach roads on either end. The bridge will run parallel to the Sevoke railway bridge and will not only ease traffic but also provide a significant boost to the local economy by improving connectivity in the strategically important “Chicken Neck” corridor—a narrow stretch of land connecting mainland India to the Northeast. The new bridge is expected to reduce travel distance by 14 km, benefiting commuters, tourists, and traders alike.

The Coronation Bridge, also known as Bagh Pul (Tiger Bridge), is a remarkable piece of colonial-era engineering, built between 1937 and 1941 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Designed by John Chambers, the last British Superintending Engineer of the Darjeeling Public Works Department (PWD), the bridge is a key architectural landmark in West Bengal, connecting Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Sikkim with the Doars region and North Eastern states.

The bridge was designed as a steel arch bridge supported by reinforced concrete piers. The arch design was chosen for its ability to bear the heavy loads of traffic while withstanding the seismic risks posed by the region's geological conditions. The innovative cantilever structure was built on two strong rock foundations on either side of the Teesta River, which helped to avoid the unstable riverbed. This design was unique for its time, given the region's difficult topography and river flow dynamics.

The final structure was built using reinforced concrete, and the main arch span was 81.7 meters long, with the overall length of the bridge extending to 120 meters. The bridge was constructed with steel girders to strengthen the structure and ensure stability against the river's strong currents.

At the time, the bridge cost ₹6 lakh (approximately ₹19 crore in today’s value), a significant sum for a colonial infrastructure project. The Coronation Bridge was completed in 1941, after four years of challenging work.. Assisted by three Bengali engineers—A.C. Dutt, S.K. Ghosh, and K.P. Roy—Chambers designed the bridge to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, featuring a spandrel-arch design inspired by Roman architecture. 

The foundation stone for the bridge was laid on November 5, 1937, by John Anderson, the then Governor of Bengal, and the bridge was inaugurated in 1941. Governor Anderson's vehicle was the first to cross the bridge during its official opening. The bridge was initially part of National Highway 31A (now NH 10), serving as a crucial route for goods, military supplies, and passengers between the plains of Siliguri and the hill stations of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

Locally, the bridge is known as Bagh Pool (meaning Tiger Bridge), a name inspired by the two tiger statues at the Sikkim-Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri entrances. These statues symbolise strength and courage, reflecting the region's rich natural heritage. The bridge is also a popular tourist spot, attracting visitors who wish to admire its architectural grandeur and the stunning views of the Teesta River and surrounding landscapes.

Over the years, the Coronation Bridge has withstood several natural disasters, including earthquakes and floods, but its ageing infrastructure has raised concerns about its capacity to handle the growing traffic load. In 2011, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake damaged the bridge, necessitating repairs by the West Bengal Public Works Department (PWD). Additional inspections in 2015 and 2020 revealed cracks in the bridge’s arch, leading to restrictions on vehicles over 10 tons. These issues have prompted local groups and government officials to call for a parallel bridge to alleviate the pressure on the Coronation Bridge.

In January 2025, the Central Government approved the construction of a new bridge parallel to the Coronation Bridge, with a budget of ₹1,190 crore. The bridge will help modernise the transportation network in North Bengal and improve connectivity to Sikkim, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and the Dooars region.

As the construction of the new bridge progresses, the project's importance for the region's development marks a significant milestone. The Coronation Bridge will remain a landmark of engineering and history, while the new infrastructure will provide much-needed relief, ensuring smoother, safer transportation for residents, tourists, and businesses alike. The alternative bridge will not only reduce travel time but also provide a lasting solution to the infrastructure challenges facing North Bengal and the Northeastern states.