Experts of RITES on Thursday examined the health of Baghajatin flyover on Eastern Metropolitan Bypass.
Heavy duty hammers and rebound hammers and ultra sound pulse velocity equipment were used to find out cracks and check the health of the flyover constructed by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority over a decade ago.
After the collapse of a stretch on Vivekenanda Road flyover in March last year, KMDA had engaged RITES to check the health of all the flyovers it had constructed in recent past. The RITES will examine the health of Chingrighata bridge, Bankim Setu in Howrah and Sealdah bridge along with all other bridges built by KMDA. It will give a detailed report to KMDA on their findings.
A senior KMDA engineer said it was necessary to test the health of the bridges that undergo massive wear and tear. The volume of vehicles using them has gone up over the years. Also, more and more heavy duty vehicles are using them. Baghajatin bridge is the main connecting link between South 24 Parganas and the city and hundreds of heavy duty vehicles use it. As hectic construction is going on in areas surrounding Eastern Metropolitan bypass lorries carrying construction materials, iron and steel bars use the bridge to reach the city from South 24 Parganas and vice versa. So, a report on the health of the bridge is urgently required so that KMDA can take proper steps.
Similarly, traffic movement along Bankim Setu and Chingrighata bridge has gone up in the past five years. Most of the Sector V and New Town bound cars from South Kolkata and southern fringes take the bridge to reach their destination.
Once the reports are available, KMDA would take necessary steps. However, the fate of Vivekananda Road flyover is still uncertain. Experts are examining the design of the bridge and will give a report following which a decision whether to carry on with completion of the bridge and dismantle it will be taken. The construction of the flyover began over a decade ago.