Temporary bridge over Balason River collapses in Darjeeling after heavy rains

Heavy rainfall led to the collapse of a temporary bridge over the swollen Balason river in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district on Friday, disrupting vehicular movement between Siliguri and the Mirik subdivision, officials said.

The hume pipe structure was built as a stopgap arrangement after the collapse of the Dudhia iron bridge in October 2025. Authorities said a section of the temporary bridge gave way after a sudden rise in water levels due to continuous rainfall in the region.

Following the incident, traffic has been diverted via alternative routes through Pankhabari and Kurseong, causing inconvenience to daily commuters and transport of essential goods.

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista visited the site and blamed the previous state government for delays in constructing a permanent bridge, alleging poor planning and execution of temporary arrangements. He also suggested that a Bailey bridge with assistance from the Border Roads Organisation or the Army could have served as a more stable interim solution.

Officials from the Public Works Department said construction of a permanent two-lane bridge over the Balason river is already underway, with over ₹51 crore sanctioned for the project. Work had been delayed due to monsoon-related challenges.

The Central Water Commission also noted that the area remains vulnerable due to high river flow and ongoing erosion, warning that nearby infrastructure is under continued threat.

Locals expressed concern over repeated disruptions in connectivity, saying the collapse would affect daily travel and supply chains until emergency restoration work is completed.