KMDA to approach cops over bridge shutdown for tests

KOLKATA: The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) will approach Kolkata Police to work out a schedule so that they can conduct a structural health study and load-capacity test of five bridges in the second phase of the project. The bridges include the crucial Karunamoyee, Durgapur and Chetla bridges, which now cater to a large section of travellers to and from Behala, especially after the Majerhat bridge collapsed, breaking a major line of commute in the area.
The two other bridges to be studied are Dhakuria bridge and Ambedkar bridge on E M Bypass.

“All these bridges are crucial to maintaining proper traffic flow. The tests have to be carried out but it will have to be done with minimal impact on traffic,” an officer said. “Depending on the length of a bridge and the tests, KMDA usually seeks to shut the structure for 24 to 72 hours. In some cases, on our request, the tests are carried out only at night. But that might not be possible for these bridges. We will have a discussion before a decisions is taken.” A KMDA official said these are preliminary suggestions but several of these bridges might require a detailed study that might lead to complete shutdown.
Asource said that on Karunamoyee bridge, which connected Tollygunge with Haridevpur, Behala and Siriti, a subsidence was detected between two expansion joints a few years ago. Repair work was carried out after that. Though the current condition of the bridge was found to be stable, KMDA authorities wanted to be completely sure about its structural strength, he said. Chetla bridge, which connects Behala with Rashbehari Avenue, has also been on the KMDA radar. It was a year and half ago that a chunk from below the bridge fell, narrowly missing a food vendor, sitting with his fares below.
The authorities are still working on the plan to conduct load-capacity tests for Bijon Setu that was planned to be taken up last year before the Pujas. But it was postponed, citing festive traffic rush. The authorities are in touch with the police to find out if the test could be carried out any time soon.
In the first phase, KMDA conducted structural health study of Ultadanga flyover, Sealdah flyover, Aurobindo Setu, Chinrighata flyover, Kalighat Setu, Baghajatin ROB and Bankim Setu.
The authorities are preparing documents to float tenders to take up their repairs, the priority being Baghajatin ROB and Kalighat Setu.