Selimpur Bridge likely to be closed for traffic movement soon

Kolkata: The Jibanananda Setu in Jadavpur, popularly known as Selimpur Bridge, is likely to be closed for traffic movement from August 16 to 18 with Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) deciding to conduct structural health audit of the bridge.

As per discussions with the Traffic department of Kolkata Police, KMDA has proposed to keep this bridge closed for vehicular movement from 6 pm on August 16 to 6 pm on August 18.

"We are yet to take any final decision on traffic restrictions on the bridge. We are examining the proposal of the KMC. If there is any restriction we will come up with a notification in due course," said Pandey Santosh, deputy commissioner of police (Traffic), Kolkata.

It has been learnt that the traffic wing is examining the alternative route that may be adopted for vehicular movement along the stretch. Vehicles travelling from the added areas of the city and Behala take the Prince Anwar Shah Road and from the Jadavpur Police station crossing, take the Jibananda Bridge to reach Eastern Metropolitan Bypass at the Avisikta crossing.

The bridge is located on the railway tracks midway between Dhakuria and Jadavpur stations.

The decision has already been taken to keep Sealdah flyover closed for traffic movement for 72 hours from the evening of August 15 till the evening of August 18.

It may be mentioned that heavy vehicles have already been barred from plying on two busy flyovers of the city ~ Chingrighata Flyover and Kalighat Bridge ~ after a health study by the KMDA identified "weaknesses" in them.

Two other flyovers, namely Aurobindo Setu and Bijon Setu, will also undergo "load capacity test" in the end of August or the beginning of September, during which they would be closed for traffic movement.