PWD's model of new Talla Bridge shown to KMC engineers

Kolkata: A model of the Talla Bridge that has been prepared by the state Public Works Department (PWD) was brought to the Water Supply department of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and shown to the engineers on Thursday.

A number of water supply pipelines of KMC run under the bridge, which supply water from the Talla pumping station adjacent to the bridge.

The model was first shown to Commissioner Khalil Ahmed and was then brought to the office of the engineers of the Water Supply department.

"We have to remove some water supply lines underneath the bridge when the construction of the new bridge starts. But at the same time we have to ensure that there is hardly any inconvenience when it comes to water supply. We held a meeting to chalk out a plan on the basis of the model on how we can relocate the water supply pipelines during demolition or construction work," an official in KMC's Water Supply department said.

KMC engineers will soon sit with the PWD engineers to finalise the matter. The six water supply pipelines that run under the bridge are responsible for supplying water to seven boroughs under KMC, which are located in North and Central Kolkata.

It may be mentioned that Talla Bridge has been closed for heavy vehicles including buses since the last week of September. The decision has already been taken that the old bridge will be dismantled and a new one will come up in its place.

The demolition work is likely to start next month and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wants construction of the bridge to start from January.

The new bridge will stand on two piers. The existing bridge, built with a tar blacktop moulded over clay has become outdated now.

There are two portions of the 57-year-old bridge – the one that is over the railway track is maintained by Railways, while the other portion is maintained by PWD. So far it has been decided that Railways will dismantle their portion, while the remaining part will be demolished by the PWD. The entire demolition process will be a coordinated effort.

Both RITES and bridge construction expert V K Raina have recommended that the condition of the bridge is beyond repair and should be pulled down.

The state government, along with the Transport department and the officers of Kolkata Police, Bidhannagar and Barrackpore commissionerates are working on making a comprehensive alternative traffic plan to ease out the traffic flow.