South 24 Parganas, 20 September (H.S.): A concrete bridge constructed at a cost of around ₹32 lakh during the Trinamool Congress regime collapsed within just five years, leaving residents on both sides of the Kalu River facing serious connectivity problems. The incident took place on Sunday morning in Patharpratima block of South 24 Parganas district.

The approximately 100-metre-long bridge over the Kalu River was an important link between Abad Gangadharpur village under South Gangadharpur Gram Panchayat on one side and the areas under Shrinayaranpur-Purnachandrapur Gram Panchayat on the other.

Local residents alleged that questions had been raised over the quality of construction materials used when the bridge was built around five years ago. According to them, the bridge developed problems within a short period and was subsequently repaired by adding a few thin iron rods and carrying out fresh concrete work.

Residents also alleged that when they protested against the alleged poor-quality construction, they were threatened with intimidation, physical assault and being implicated in false cases.

After the bridge collapsed again early on Sunday, local residents gathered at the spot and staged a protest. They demanded an investigation into the alleged substandard construction work and strict action against those found responsible. They also appealed to the administration to begin reconstruction of the bridge at the earliest.

The bridge was an important route for students travelling to school and for residents accessing the Gadhamathura Primary Health Centre, Ramganga BDO office and other essential facilities. Its collapse has particularly affected patients, students and people requiring emergency services.

With the bridge now unusable, residents are relying largely on makeshift rafts made from banana trunks (mandas) to cross the river. Relatives of a patient were also seen carrying the patient across the river on a mandas on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Dipankar Jana, Minister of State for the Sundarban Affairs Development Department, assured residents that repair and reconstruction work on the bridge would be started at the earliest. He also said an investigation would be conducted into whether any irregularities or corruption had taken place during the bridge's construction. According to the minister, anyone found guilty would face action, irrespective of their identity or position.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey