A bridge in the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal collapsed on Friday, leading to a political clash between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress. Reportedly, no fatalities were reported.
The incident occurred as a goods-laden dumper was crossing the bridge at Sitalkuchi, causing it to collapse. Officials confirmed that the driver was rescued and received primary medical treatment.
“The driver of the dumper was rescued and given primary medical treatment. There has been no loss of life,” a police officer told PTI. Senior authorities reached the spot soon after the incident.
The bridge, located at Baromashia Debnathpara, connects Debnathpara New Market with Baromashia over a river. Local residents revealed that the bridge, which is around
25 to 30 years old, has been poorly maintained. They mentioned that heavy vehicles frequently used the bridge, and many had anticipated such an accident for some time.
“This bridge is at least 25 to 30 years old and poorly maintained,” a local resident was quoted by PTI as saying. “Heavy vehicles use it regularly. We had feared an accident for a long time,” he added.
Residents warned of connectivity issues ahead of the Madhyamik exams if an alternative route or temporary bridge is not arranged.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya posted on X and said, “This bridge in Sitalkuchi, Coochbehar is a stark symbol of what ‘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.”
This bridge in Sitalkuchi, Coochbehar is a stark symbol of what ‘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… pic.twitter.com/WhYSG5nRbP
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 30, 2026
TMC leader Debangshu Bhattacharya Dev hit back at Malviya.
“How can the TMC get ‘cut money’ from a bridge built during the Left regime? Can BJP answer how many bridges collapsed in Gujarat and Bihar in the past 1–2 years made by their double engine ‘space technology?” he stated.
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