Bailey bridge, level-crossing to be operational at last from today

Kolkata: The bailey bridge on Chetla Canal and the level-crossing that will connect the Behala-New Alipore side with Alipore, will be operational from Friday morning.

The work for the bridge and the level-crossing and repair of the thoroughfares connecting the two sides has been completed in a record time of 20 days, with close coordination between the state Public Works Department (PWD) and Eastern Railways.

"Small and medium vehicles from the Behala-New Alipore side will travel towards the Alipore side initially. After the Pujas, Kolkata Police will experiment regarding both way movement," said a senior official of the PWD department.

The bridge, along with the level-crossing, is connecting the southward extension of Alipore Avenue with Block G in New Alipore, from where it would move some 600 metres to connect with Humayun Kabir Sarani.

"The bailey bridge and the level-crossing are very much capable of both way movement of traffic. So, we can also have movement from Behala-New Alipore side to the Alipore side," a senior official of Kolkata Police's traffic department said.

A senior official of Eastern Railway (ER) said that the level-crossing gate between New Alipore and Majerhat Station in Sealdah-Budge Budge line will be an alternative route for vehicle movement.

"To ensure smooth road and rail movement, 6 pairs of EMU locals in the Sealdah-Budge Budge section will remain suspended from Saturday, until further advice. Running of all Up and Down Sealdah South–Nangi Passenger Special will also remain cancelled from Friday," the official said.

He added that out of seventy existing services, 52 services will continue in Sealdah (South)–Budge Budge section. A cabin has already been created and manpower has been put in place by ER for operating the level-crossing.

The walkway for pedestrians adjacent to Majerhat Bridge over Chetla Canal will also be operational from Friday. Hume pipes have been placed and its upper portion has been concretised for the crossover. "The state has taken up the matter with the Railways for a similar kind of path for vehicle movement at this place. Permission has not been granted by the Railways but negotiations are on," an official said.

For a two-lane road, the width needs to be at least 7 metres and for this, a highrise on the New Alipore side needs to be pulled down. "If the Railways give us the nod, we are hopeful of convincing the residents to relocate after arranging proper rehabilitation for them," he added.