Gajoldoba, 13th November: Vehicle owners and drivers staged a protest on Wednesday demanding permission for sand and stone-carrying trucks to resume traffic on the Teesta Bridge at Gajoldoba. On Wednesday, over a hundred vehicle owners gathered to voice their concerns.
Notably, the Teesta Bridge, located near the Gajoldoba Barrage in Jalpaiguri district, has been prohibited for heavy vehicles due to ongoing repairs. The protestors claimed that the ban was enforced by the Jalpaiguri district administration on October 4, prohibiting vehicles over 6 tons from using the bridge. However, nearly one and a half months have passed, and no repairs have been carried out.
Meanwhile, almost all vehicles are allowed to commute through the bridge except for sand and stone-laden trucks and dumpers. The protestors are demanding that the commencement of bridge repair works and the weight restrictions on sand and stone-carrying vehicles be relaxed to allow their movement.
Significantly, the Teesta Bridge at Gajoldoba is a significant route for nearly 350 trucks transporting sand and stones. The ongoing restriction has left truck owners, drivers, and their families in financial distress. Therefore, a demand has been raised for the immediate resumption of vehicle movement for sand and stone transportation.