The new Murti River bridge in North Bengal is scheduled to open on Tuesday, September 22, potentially shortening the journey between the two sides of the river by about 10 kilometres and improving access to several settlements and tourist destinations, according to a report by Sangbad Pratidin – Bengal.
The white-and-black arched bridge has been built over the Murti River and is expected to connect areas around Lataguri, Jalpaiguri, Nagrakata, Luksan and Mahabari more efficiently. The report said the bridge had already attracted attention on social media through photographs and videos released before the planned inauguration.
The opening is expected to improve road connectivity for residents living on both sides of the river. The report also identified Jhalong Bindu, Rongo and Kumai among the tourism locations that could become quicker to reach once the bridge is opened to traffic. It did not specify the bridge’s length, carrying capacity, construction cost, road design standards or the exact date on which regular public traffic would begin.
The bridge’s significance extends beyond the travel-time reduction. Local tourism businesses told the publication that improved access could increase visitor movement in the surrounding area. Small shops, vehicle operators and other local businesses may consequently see more activity, although the report did not provide estimates of expected visitor growth or commercial revenue.
Construction work on the bridge had reportedly been completed earlier, but its formal inauguration was delayed because of election-related restrictions. The scheduled opening is therefore the final public milestone described in the report, rather than the start of construction or a new project announcement.
The report attributed the planned inauguration and related programme to the state administration. It said Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was scheduled to inaugurate the bridge during a North Bengal visit that also included administrative meetings in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar. The programme was expected to include a visit to the Madan Mohan Temple in Cooch Behar and an event for World Rhino Day at the Subhashini Tea Garden ground in Alipurduar.
Authorities had arranged enhanced security for the visit, according to the report. The immediate operational question after the inauguration will be when the bridge is opened fully to public traffic and what traffic-management arrangements are put in place at either approach. Those details were not provided in the supplied report.
For communities and tourism operators across the Murti region, the bridge represents a connectivity change whose effect will depend on reliable access, safe operations and the completion of associated approach-road arrangements. The administration’s scheduled inauguration remains the next stated milestone.
