the bridge, has so far failed to finalise the tenders. According to the earlier programme the construction of the bridge was to have commenced a year ago.

The proposed bridge, unique of its kind in the world, will serve as a most vital link between Calcutta and Howrah across the Hoogly river to ease the mounting pressure on the existing Howrah bridge. The total cost is estimated at Rs. 30 crores, out of which Rs. 16 crores is for the construction of the bridge itself and Rs. 14 crores for approach roads on either side of the river.

Although the Commissioners are reported to have overcome the lobbying with regard to the tender for approach roids, no decision could be taken on the tenders for the construction of the bridge itself.

According to reports from official sour ces, the Bridge Commissioners have entrusted the Bagineering Projects (India) Limited, a Government of India undertaking, with the construction of approach roads.

The Bridge Commissioners are meeting soon to take a decision on the recommendations of a foreign firm, entrusted with the evaluation of tenders for the bridge proper. There are reports that this powerful group is still continuing its lobbying in favour of the private firm.

A source very close to the Bridge Commissioners, says that the main interest involved in lobbying is that "these highly placed persons have commitments to this private firm".

It is understood that the Union Govern. ment is very much in favour of awarding the job to the public sector undertaking as it would offer job opportunities to the local people, while such an opportunity may be nil if a private firm is given the construction work.

The private firm, for which lobbying is going on is heavily staffed with outsiders,

and can hardly offer job opportunities to the local people.

CPI (M) Loses Burdwan

The Congress which had lost the Burdwan Municipal Board to the Leftists in 1957 came back to power on November 28 with a landslide victory.

Of the 25 seats of the municipality, the Congress front captured 18, while the CPI (M)-dominated front won three. Four were elected elected unopposed, Independents three of them with the support of the Congress front.

The result of the election is significant because the Municipal Board was considered to be the citadel of the CPI (M). In many booths the CPI (M) could not open its local office.

The chairman of the board, Mr, Sailesh Chandra Banerji (CPI-M), was defeated by Mr. Sadhan Kumar Ghosh (C) by 12 votes. The Vice-chairman of the board, Mr. Chandrasekhar Chatterji (CPI-M) lost to Mr. Niradendu Komar (C).

Altogether 52 candidates fought the election. The CPI (M) fielded 19 candidates. About 50% of the voters exercised their franchise. The election passed off without any major incident.

While the Congress celebrated its victo ry with the bursting of crackers an atmos phere of gloom prevailed in the CPI (M) camp. Mr. Krishna Chandra Halder, MP (CPI-M) complained that many could not vote and that the Congress had won by the strength of false votes. He alleged that the Congress had let loose terror in the town.