The Point

The Coronation Bridge over the Teesta River still stands—but under constant fear. Fear that years of neglect, delayed decisions, and administrative silence may soon turn this critical structure into the site of an avoidable disaster.
This bridge is a lifeline for North Bengal and the Northeast.

Thousands of vehicles cross it daily, carrying people, goods, and essential supplies. Yet for a long time now, concerns have been raised about its safety and structural condition. The demand for a new Coronation Bridge is not new—it has been pending for years.

Despite repeated warnings and public concern, no clear responsibility has been taken by WBPWD or NHAI. The lack of coordination between the state and central agencies has resulted in inaction. While files move, risks remain on the ground.

Earlier, it was stated that the tender for a new bridge would be allocated by December 2025. That deadline has now passed in spirit, if not officially. January is almost over, yet there is no information about tender allocation, no disclosure of the selected agency, and no clarity on when construction will begin or end.

The silence is alarming. When it comes to infrastructure of this importance, delay itself becomes a danger. Waiting for the bridge to fail before acting would be irreversible negligence.

This is not just about building a new bridge—it is about preventing a foreseeable tragedy.

WBPWD NHAI GovernmentAccountability NorthBengal Dooars NortheastIndia TransparencyNow PreventDisaster ActNow

Umar Khalid has been in judicial custody since 2020 in connection with the Delhi riots conspiracy case and has been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). His bail pleas have been denied multiple times by lower courts. In January 2026, the Supreme Court also declined to grant him bail, observing that the prosecution material prima facie attracts the statutory restrictions on bail under UAPA, even as relief was granted to some other co-accused.

CivilLiberties India