In a major move to boost rail connectivity in Eastern India, the South Eastern Railway (SER) has greenlit a significant infrastructure project. The plan involves replacing the century-old Kolaghat Bridge No. 57, a critical but deteriorating link on the bustling Howrah-Kharagpur corridor.
The Ageing Structure: A 125-Year-Old Bottleneck
The existing bridge, a 804-metre steel girder structure over the Rupnarayan river, was commissioned way back in 1900. Having served its codal life of 125 years, it is now deemed unfit for modern rail traffic demands. The bridge currently carries the Middle and Down Main lines connecting Deulti and Kolaghat stations.
Due to its weakened state, SER has been compelled to enforce strict safety measures that severely hamper operations. Freight trains and most Mail/Express services are banned from using the Down Main line over this bridge. Consequently, nearly all downward traffic is squeezed onto a single Middle line.
Trains that do get permission to cross must crawl at a restricted speed of just 30 kmph. To manage this, railways use reversible signalling, diverting trains onto one track—a complex process that causes a domino effect of delays, particularly during peak hours.
A Vision for the Future: The 2027 Deadline
The solution is a brand-new, state-of-the-art bridge, budgeted at Rs 418.11 crore. Designed as a 100-year asset, it will feature modern engineering with a mix of composite and open web girders and an integrated viaduct on a realigned path.
The impact will be transformative. The new Kolaghat bridge is expected to restore full-speed operations across all three lines, dramatically increasing capacity for both suburban commuters and long-distance travellers on this vital section.
"Every effort is being made to ensure safe and seamless train movement under the present constraints," assured an SER spokesperson, emphasizing that safety remains the paramount concern during construction.
Relief in Sight for Bengal's Rail Network
With commissioning targeted for the end of 2027, the new bridge promises to be a game-changer. Railway officials anticipate it will bring faster journeys, enhanced safety, and much-needed relief from the persistent operational slowdowns that have plagued this part of Bengal's suburban network for years.
The project underscores a critical investment in upgrading India's colonial-era railway infrastructure to meet 21st-century transportation needs.
