By TC News Desk
Agartala, 21st April 2025: A bamboo bridge built across the Howrah River in South Joynagar collapsed on Monday afternoon following heavy rainfall, leaving hundreds of residents cut off from essential routes and services.
The temporary bridge, constructed by locals ahead of the monsoon, gave way around 2 PM due to the sudden rise in the water level of the Howrah River. It was the only functional pathway connecting South Joynagar and North Joynagar to other parts of Agartala after the old wooden bridge — built decades ago by late MLA Surajit Dutta — became unstable in recent years.
Locals have long demanded the construction of a permanent iron bridge. Responding to the plea, the current MLA, Dipak Majumdar, initiated the construction of an iron bridge in the area six months ago. However, progress has stalled for the past one and a half months due to alleged negligence by the contractor overseeing the project.
With no alternative route, residents had taken it upon themselves to build a bamboo bridge as a temporary solution. But the heavy overnight rains from Sunday into Monday proved too much for the fragile structure.
Now, residents — particularly traders from Battala Bazaar and students of Rajnagar School — are being forced to take lengthy detours. Traders must travel 7 to 8 kilometers through border routes, while students face a journey of 10 to 12 kilometers to attend school.
“This bridge was our lifeline,” said a local shopkeeper. “Now we are practically stranded. More than a hundred families are suffering due to this negligence.”
The collapse has sparked fresh demands for immediate intervention from authorities and expedited construction of the promised iron bridge.
