The Bengal public works department has started constructing a bridge over the Teesta canal to connect Bhorer Alo, the mega tourism hub at Gajoldoba near the Teesta Barrage in Jalpaiguri district.

The 126m-long structure will be made of steel with a single span and will have an arch that will resemble the Howrah Bridge in Calcutta.

The arch will be visible even from around 12km away.

“The idea is to make a unique bridge that will be a symbol of identity for the tourism hub. It will be an added attraction for tourists. The bridge will have proper approach roads and the decorative arch will be around 25m high from the bridge’s surface. The approach roads will be around three metres above the ground level,” a source said.

The bridge will have the Gajoldoba Road on one side and the tourism hub on the other. It is being built over the Teesta Main Left Canal.

Tourism minister Gautam Deb said Rs 70 crore would be spent on the project.

“We are developing the tourism site in an integrated manner and have involved different state government departments. Once the bridge is ready, it will largely help in accessing the tourism hub,” said Deb.

As of now, tourists use a road over the Teesta Barrage to reach the tourism site.

“After the project was taken up, officials of the irrigation department said an alternative road was required as the traffic would increase and there would be more pressure on the barrage. That is why the bridge was planned,” said an official of the tourism department.

Bhorer Alo is spread over 208 acres and is on the right bank of Teesta.

It has cottages, a resort and many other facilities.