Motorable Bailey Bridge Over Balason River at Dudhey Ready, Traffic to Resume from Tomorrow
Motorable Bailey Bridge Over Balason River at Dudhey Ready, Traffic to Resume from Tomorrow
A major connectivity boost has come for the Darjeeling hills as the motorable Bailey Bridge over the Balason River at Dudhey has been completed and will be opened for vehicular traffic from tomorrow evening.
The bridge restores a crucial road link between Mirik and the plains, bringing relief to thousands of commuters, local residents, tourists, and businesses that have faced repeated disruptions over the past several months.
The original bridge at Dudhey was washed away during the devastating floods of October 2025, severely affecting transportation in the region. To restore connectivity, authorities had constructed a temporary hume-pipe bridge. However, continuous heavy monsoon rainfall caused the temporary structure to be washed away on the night of June 18–19, 2026, once again cutting off the important route.
In response to the emergency, the Indian Army swiftly constructed a walkable Bailey Bridge within just five days, ensuring that pedestrians could cross the river and maintain essential movement. Simultaneously, work began on a permanent motorable Bailey Bridge, which has now been completed in only 19 days—an achievement that highlights the coordinated efforts of the Army and other agencies.
With the bridge now ready, vehicles will once again be able to travel between Mirik and the plains, significantly easing transportation, improving access to essential services, and supporting trade and tourism in the region.
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista expressed his gratitude to the Indian Army, the Public Works Department (PWD), and all departments and agencies involved in the project for their dedication and timely execution.
He also thanked the state government for prioritizing the restoration of this vital transportation link, emphasizing that the reopening of the bridge will greatly benefit the people of the Darjeeling hills and surrounding areas.
