Construction of Iswar Gupta Setu to commence soon

Kolkata: Construction of Iswar Gupta Setu, the first of its kind, to initiate soon. This is the first "enclosed cable-stayed bridge with inclined pylons" in India and this is going to be a landmark in a few years.

A discussion in this regard was held between the officials of the West Bengal Highway Development Corporation and Rites authorities at Nabanna on Monday.

All necessary work that needs to be done before initiating the work at the site is almost complete and according to the officials the work is going to start soon with a target of completing the bridge by the end of 2021.

With construction of the bridge, the distance between Dankuni in Hooghly to Kalyani in Nadia can be covered in just 30 minutes time.

The state government has taken up the initiative to construct the bridge considering it will reduce travelling time between the north and south Bengal. Construction of the bridge will establish a direct connect between Delhi Road and National Highway 34.

It may be mentioned that National Highway 34 is the lifeline of North Bengal and a vehicle from Dankuni in Hooghly will take only 30 minutes time to reach Nadia if it takes the new Iswar Gupta Setu to go across the river.

No vehicles from Hooghly and other adjacent districts will have to take Nivedita Setu from Bally in Howrah to reach districts like Nadia, Murshidabad and other North Bengal districts in lesser time.

Besides reducing the traffic load on Nivedita Setu, it will give a boost to trade and economy as traders do have to bear less transportation cost.

The project also includes the work to widen and strengthen the roads those will connect the bridge.

The work of strengthening and widening of the roads will also be undertaken in phases. "It will be done to ensure that vehicles do not get stuck in traffic congestion on the connecting roads," the official said adding that a comprehensive plan has been taken up that will improve the road connectivity in a major

portion of the state.

It may be mentioned that the decision to construct the bridge was taken up after engineers found that the existing bridge in the area is in a poor state and heavy vehicles were not allowed to ply on the bridge. In such a situation, the state PWD is carrying out the repairing work of the existing bridge as well.