|
State Government | West Bengal - India | PID: 180865
|
Nabanna has given the nod to repair the weak Santragachhi bridge, work for which is likely to start before the Durga Puja
After it transpired that a portion of the Majerhat bridge collapsed owing to lack of repairs for years, state officials are apparently no longer willing to delay the renovation of the Santragachhi flyover, which was last repaired in March 2016. The stress on the bridge is owing to regular, huge traffic of heavy vehicles and trailers, ferrying goods and essentials to the city, on it. But, according to an engineer, the current condition of the structure was not quite fit for bearing such a huge load and so, they alerted Nabanna
The project, estimated to cost over Rs 2 crore, might entail route diversion for heavy vehicles, an official said. In 2016, when several of the expansion joints of the bridge were replaced, no vehicle was allowed on it for some time. But now, it would be a routine repair and so, the bridge would partially shut. Small vehicles and buses would be allowed during the work, the engineer said. “A regular maintenance is needed for the 10.7m-wide bridge, which is used by over 1lakh vehicles a day, including over 5,000 heavy vehicles,” the engineer added
A vital link between Kolkata and Howrah, this elevated corridor is used by most commuters heading for NH 2 and NH 6. Those travelling to Kolkata or Howrah from Burdwan, Hooghly and East and West Midnapore also avail of it extensively. Given the rush on this stretch, the traffic police fear it would be difficult to keep the vehicles moving, when the bridge would be partially shut for repairs. Apprehensive of utter chaos, at least in the initial 15 days, they want the repairs to start after Diwali, once the festive season gets over. As heavy vehicles would not be allowed on the bridge, the cops plan to divert them through Nivedita Setu-BT Road to enter the city and Andul Road on the way out. But right now, with water pipelines being laid on Andul Road and the KMDA work likely to take a month’s time to be completed, the authorities are not quite sure if the stretch could be used for the diversion. As an alternative route, drivers might be asked to use the Salap-Howrah-Amta Road-Shanpur Road route
| Updated on: 22 - Sep - 2018
|
|
|
|