Kolkata: Majerhat bearings installation awaits written ER nod

KOLKATA: Eastern Railway has cleared the design of the bearings for Majerhat ROB, but the state PWD cannot install them unless the former inspects and gives its written permission.
The state public works department (PWD), implementing agency of the Majerhat ROB reconstruction project, has been waiting for the zonal railway’s permission to install the 12 bearings in the 76m girder that was launched over the railway tracks on July 10. When it started the girder launching on June 2, PWD had hoped to commission the new bridge by this October.
Last Sunday, TOI reported that construction of Majerhat rail overbridge, which falls under ER’s ambit, has stopped because of the pending clearance.
ER engineers told their PWD counterparts on Friday that the latter must seek an inspection of the bearings. ER can issue its permission only after this inspection. ER’s chief public relations officer (CPRO) Nikhil K Chakraborty said on Friday, “ER approved the bearings’ design on Wednesday. Now, PWD must formally approach us and offer the bearings for inspection.”
“The letter has been sent. ER will come for the inspection next week,” said state PWD minister Aroop Biswas on Saturday.
But state officials said every passing day has become crucial since they are trying to throw open the bridge by end-October.
“More than two weeks have been wasted. We don’t know if we can meet the pre-Puja deadline. After the bearings are installed, the deck slab will be cast. This involves a complex job of enforcement binding of steel to create the deck’s base on which concrete will be cast,” said an official.
These should take a month. After casting, a construction gap of 28 days is needed for curing. Once the slab firms up, installations of the cables will start.