Govt okays Rs 1,098 crore for bridge between Kalna and Shantipur

Kolkata: The Mamata Banerjee government has sanctioned Rs 1,098 crore for construction of a major bridge on river Bhagi-

rathi connecting Kalna in Burdwan with Shantipur in

Nadia.

According to a senior official, it is one of the major projects to be carried out by the state Public Works Department (PWD) and the financial sanction for the same has been received. Subsequently, the necessary work, including the process to float the tender in this connection, will be carried out soon.

It may be recalled that the state government had conceived the idea of constructing the bridge in early September in 2017. The step to construct the bridge was taken up following direction of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to improve connectivity between the two districts and also to ensure that people from the places can reach their destinations in much lesser time.

Soon after receiving the final nod for constructing the bridge, feasibility study was carried out and a detailed project report (DPR) was also prepared.

Finally, the calculation revealed that the estimated cost to construct the bridge would be Rs 1,098 crore and the approval for the same has also been given.

A senior state government official has stated that the bridge will be around 800 metre long, while the total stretch of the project, including the approach roads, will be 11 km.

The project also includes a railway over bridge (ROB) at Kalna, which will be around 600 metre long. At Kalna side, the bridge will connect STKK Road at Kalna. The bridge at the Shantipur side will be connecting with the National Highway 34.

"All initiatives have been taken up to initiate the work as early as possible," said the official, adding that the ground level work will also start soon.

Construction of the bridge will be helpful to lakhs of people from both the districts as besides better connectivity it will also ensure a boost to the economy of the region.

Fulia and Shantipur in Nadia are the places which are famous for their tant sarees. There is high demand for the same all over the country. With the construction of the bridge, the transportation cost of tant sarees from Fulia and Shantipur will go down.

It will help the saree manufacturers and traders from the area in their business. In the absence of the bridge, one has to take Gouranga Setu to reach Shantipur from Kalna and vice versa. As a result, they have to travel at least 45 km more to reach their destinations.