Why in News?

After more than 10 years, the West Bengal government recently gave its nod to the Teesta Bridge project, replacing the Coronation Bridge.

• The Coronation Bridge Built in West Bengal spans across the Teesta River.
• It was built in the memory of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth from 1937 to 1941.
• Its foundation stone was laid by then Bengal Governor John Anderson.

Teesta is Bengal's second-longest river after the Ganga.

• It is also known as the Sevoke Roadway Bridge or Baag Pool.
• It is the only one British-era bridge on the Teesta linking West Bengal and Sikkim.
• Architects - A.C. Dutt, S.K. Ghosh and K.P. Roy.
• The bridge was designed by John Chambers, the last British executive engineer in the Darjeeling PWD Division.
• The bridge has a steel arch design, its deck is built of steel girders and its arches are supported by concrete piers.
• The bridge was damaged in the 2011 earthquake, after which the Centre started planning an alternative bridge to increase connectivity between the two states on this strategically important route.
• There were some land acquisition problems; thus, it was delayed by 12 years.

References

The Indian Express | Teesta bridge