Cooch Behar: Continuous rainfall over the past few days has led to the collapse of a bamboo bridge over the Torsa River at Fasir Ghat near Cooch Behar town, causing major inconvenience to residents.
The collapse has disrupted daily movement, forcing people to take a detour of nearly 16 kilometres to reach villages in the Cooch Behar South Assembly Constituency, including Mathabhanga.
According to local sources, the bridge collapsed on Wednesday night due to rising water levels triggered by continuous rain. The bamboo structure, rebuilt every year in November, serves as a crucial link between Cooch Behar town and its southern areas. Thousands of commuters use it daily for work, education, and essential services, significantly reducing travel distance and time.
With the bridge now unusable, residents are facing longer travel times and increased transportation difficulties. The disruption has once again highlighted the lack of a permanent infrastructure solution in the area. "We have been demanding a concrete bridge here for a long time. Even during the recent Assembly elections, several political parties raised the issue, but no action has been taken," said local resident Azizul Haq.
Another resident, Ranjit Das, said the collapse has severely impacted daily life. "People now have to travel nearly 16 kilometres. A permanent bridge would reduce distance, save time, and improve connectivity between the South Assembly Constituency and Cooch Behar town," he added.
Residents have urged authorities to take immediate steps to restore connectivity and ensure a long-term solution.