KoPT to take up bascule bridge repair

Kolkata: The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) is all set to take over repair of the bascule bridge near Kidderpore and will float the tender for the purpose within a period of two months. There has been more than one instance in the recent past when the bridge had refused to close for a long time throwing traffic haywire in the port area.

"We have engaged a consultant who will conduct a detailed study and prepare a tender document on how to go forward with the repair as the bridge is highly technical. We need an international agency for repair as there is no bridge similar in function to Bascule Bridge in the entire country. We have such bridges in Korea and Germany. We hope to float a tender in two months' time," KoPT chairman Vinit Kumar said.

The bascule bridge on Hooghly splits into two and folds upwards to allow ships to pass under it with its arms pointing skywards. Once a ship is ready, the bridge opens up and the vessel travels to the other side. But the bridge is very old and in recent times, the KoPT opens it twice or thrice in a week for a period of an hour when traffic flow over the bridge is relatively lean. "There have been instances when vessels have had to wait for a long period. After it is repaired, it can be opened at least five days in a week," a senior KoPT official said. The bascule bridge may be closed for a certain period to do the repair work. "We are already in talks with the Kolkata Police as they have to do necessary traffic diversions when the repair work begins," the official added.

The official, however, assured that steps will be taken to make the repair work time-bound as the bridge acts as a major link to areas like Garden Reach, Metiaburz, Rajabagan etc with the city.

It may be mentioned that the bridge built by Waagen Biro Bridge System AG of Austria became operational on November 15, 1966.