Another bridge collapses in West Bengal, none injured (Lead)

Siliguri : Three days after the Majherhat bridge partly collapsed in Kolkata, another bridge caved in at Mangach in Darjeeling district of West Bengal on Friday, police said. No casualty or injury has, however, been reported so far.

The bridge over Pichla river in Phansidewa block came down when a lorry carrying bricks was crossing it, they said.

North Bengal Development Minister Rabindranath Ghosh, who visited the spot after the incident, blamed the lorry driver and Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad for the mishap.

The 30-year-old bridge was built and maintained by the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad.

"The lorry driver should have given a thought as to whether the bridge was capable of withstanding the load of the heavy vehicle. Many drivers are reckless. This is one such example.

"Our panchayat representatives have also time and again given representation to the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad requesting that the bridge be repaired. But no one paid any heed to their pleas," said the Minister.

On August 11, an under-construction flyover had come crashing down at Goaltuli of Phansideoa Block.

Three people were killed and 19 injured when the Majherhat bridge in south Kolkata collapsed on Wednesday.