Dudhia, 11th September: The Hume pipe bridge in Dudhia broke again following overnight rain, bringing heavy vehicle movement towards Mirik to a halt. However, connectivity between Siliguri and Mirik has not been disrupted.
The Hume pipe bridge was primarily used by heavy vehicles. With the bridge breaking after water levels in the river rose late at night and submerged the structure, heavy vehicle movement towards Mirik has been stopped. However, a Bailey bridge constructed by the Army is located alongside the Hume pipe bridge, allowing communication between Siliguri and Mirik to continue.
On July 8, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had virtually inaugurated the Bailey bridge to restore connectivity between Siliguri and Mirik.
Earlier, on October 4, 2025, the iron bridge at Dudhia was washed away after the water level in the Balason River rose following overnight rain in the hills. Subsequently, a Hume pipe bridge was constructed on October 27 under the initiative of the then state government.
It is to be noted that on June 2026, the temporary hume pipe bridge was washed away following rise in river water level.
With the water level in the Balason River rising again and the Hume pipe bridge breaking, heavy vehicle movement towards Mirik has once again been disrupted.
