KOLKATA: The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) wants Kolkata traffic police to keep watch and stop the ‘public nuisance’ along the pillars of Chetla Lock Gate bridge. KMDA says frequent urination on the pillars is corroding the bridge’s super structure and making it weak.
The Chetla Lock Gate bridge has been a cause of concern for the KMDA authorities for quite some time. A structural health audit of the bridge done last year by the KMDA showed the bridge’s steel superstructure was badly corroded and the bridge was beyond repairs for longterm use.
“Public nuisance caused by frequent urination on the base of the bridge has resulted in the bridge’s superstructure getting heavily corroded. It is unfortunate that even after the bridge was repaired for light vehicles to move, the nuisance is continuing,” said a KMDA official.
Last year, KMDA had taken up urgent repair work before the pujas to prevent traffic congestion at New Allipore and Behala during the pujas. The authorities had said the bridge had been repaired only for light vehicles to move for the next six months. The long-term plan was to demolish the bridge and set up a new bridge on the same route.
However, looking into the traffic situation, the bridge has been kept operational till the Majerhat bridge is ready. “A survey would be conducted to come up with an alternative route alignment plan,” said a KMDA official.
Police said they had introduced periodic checks on the bridge ever since KMDA carried out repairs at the spot.
This includes both bike and on-road patrolling. But providing 24-hour presence is not feasible — due to lack of manpower and infrastructure.
“We have not received any fresh communication from KMDA. But we are working with the agency closely. It is difficult to stand there for several hours due to the stench. But we have shared detailed data about the traffic flow on this bridge,” said an officer from south division.
The Chetla Lock Gate bridge has been a cause of concern for the KMDA authorities for quite some time. A structural health audit of the bridge done last year by the KMDA showed the bridge’s steel superstructure was badly corroded and the bridge was beyond repairs for longterm use.
“Public nuisance caused by frequent urination on the base of the bridge has resulted in the bridge’s superstructure getting heavily corroded. It is unfortunate that even after the bridge was repaired for light vehicles to move, the nuisance is continuing,” said a KMDA official.
Last year, KMDA had taken up urgent repair work before the pujas to prevent traffic congestion at New Allipore and Behala during the pujas. The authorities had said the bridge had been repaired only for light vehicles to move for the next six months. The long-term plan was to demolish the bridge and set up a new bridge on the same route.
However, looking into the traffic situation, the bridge has been kept operational till the Majerhat bridge is ready. “A survey would be conducted to come up with an alternative route alignment plan,” said a KMDA official.
Police said they had introduced periodic checks on the bridge ever since KMDA carried out repairs at the spot.
This includes both bike and on-road patrolling. But providing 24-hour presence is not feasible — due to lack of manpower and infrastructure.
“We have not received any fresh communication from KMDA. But we are working with the agency closely. It is difficult to stand there for several hours due to the stench. But we have shared detailed data about the traffic flow on this bridge,” said an officer from south division.
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