Cooch Behar Bridge Collapse Update – 30-Year-Old Bridge Crumbles in Sitalkuchi, Amit Malviya Blames ‘Cut Money’ Culture

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Cooch Behar Bridge Collapse: A major incident has been reported from the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal. According to reports, a bridge in Sitalkuchi collapsed while a loaded dump truck was crossing it. Officials say the accident occurred in the morning when a section of the bridge broke with a loud noise, trapping the vehicle. The bridge, located in Baromashia Debnathpara, spans a river and connects Debnathpara New Market to Baromashia.
The driver has been rescued and given first aid; fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far.

This dilapidated bridge is 30 years old

A local resident said, “This bridge is at least 25 to 30 years old and in a dilapidated condition. Heavy vehicles regularly use it. We have been fearing an accident for a long time.” People have also warned that if no alternative route or temporary bridge is constructed, there could be traffic problems during the upcoming secondary examinations.

Bridge collapse sparks political debate

The incident has also sparked a political debate between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya tweeted, “This bridge in Sitalkuchi is a stark symbol of the horrors of the ‘cut money’ culture in West Bengal under Mamata Banerjee’s rule… This is not development. This is corruption-driven decay.”

Responding to the allegations, TMC leader Debangshu Bhattacharya Dev hit back at Malviya, saying, “How can the TMC get ‘cut money’ from a bridge built during the Left regime? Can the BJP tell us how many bridges built with their ‘space technology’ have collapsed in Gujarat and Bihar in the last one or two years?”

It is worth noting that this bridge is a major route for traffic between Sitalkuchi and Sitai. The police and the administration have assessed the current condition of the bridge. No casualties have been reported in the incident. The bridge collapse has caused traffic congestion in the area. Meanwhile, BJP leader Amit Malviya posted on X regarding the incident, writing, “This bridge in Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar is a stark symbol of what the ‘cut money’ culture under Mamata Banerjee has done to West Bengal.

Public funds siphoned off, shoddy construction, zero accountability, and ordinary people left to risk their lives every day.

This is not development. This is decay driven by corruption.”