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Bengal

CM calls for Goyal's intervention to complete Majerhat bridge in time

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Union Railway minister Piyush Goyal, urging his intervention in the issuance of clearance for construction of the superstructure of Majerhat railway over-bridge (RoB).

In her letter, Banerjee pointed out that Majerhat railway over-bridge is very important as it connects important places of South 24-Parganas, including Sagar Island, with the city. Lakhs of pilgrims from various parts of Bengal and other neighbouring states visit Sagar Island during Ganga Sagar Mela in January. If the bridge is not completed within December this year, a huge number of devotees would be inconvenienced.

The Chief Minister mentioned that the state government had tried to complete the construction of Majerhat railway over-bridge within September this year, but the project got delayed due to lack of timely clearance from railways.

As a result, the state government had to revise the deadline of completion of the project to December. If the railway authorities do not provide necessary clearance to the state government to go ahead with the project, it would again miss the deadline. Sensing the gravity of the issue, the Chief Minister has written directly to the Union Railway minister, so that clearances are provided without any further delay.

"I am told that this target is also likely to be missed for lack of Launching Scheme and Commissioner of Railway Safety clearance for construction of the superstructure. The foundation and sub-structure of the bridge and approach road have already been completed. Construction of superstructure can only be taken up after the state government obtains clearance from the railways," reads the letter.

The state government has laid an emphasis on construction of the bridge on time, in a bid to ease traffic movement to Sagar Island from the city ahead of Gangasagar Mela.

"I would request your personal intervention and to kindly issue instructions to the concerned railway authorities for the prompt approval of Launching Scheme and Commissioner of Railway Safety clearance. The railway authorities may also be requested to provide other requisite facilitation including traffic blockade from time to time, in order to ensure completion of the bridge by the end of December this year. The construction of the bridge on time would ensure smooth passage of lakhs of pilgrims to Gangasagar Mela," Banerjee urged Goyal in the letter.

The Majerhat railway over-bridge on Diamond Harbour Road collapsed on September 4 last year, following which the state government had taken up the project of reconstructing the bridge.

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