In a significant infrastructure push for Kolkata's traffic management, the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) has commenced a crucial phase in building a new Bailey bridge. This structure is designed to create a vital link between Salt Lake and the Dakshindari area.
Key Construction Work Underway
The authority has started installing the essential 42-meter-long truss structure, which forms the core load-bearing framework of the bridge. This steel superstructure connects the pillars and is fundamental for the bridge's overall stability. To facilitate this critical work, two lanes on a roughly 30-meter stretch of the Kolkata-bound VIP Road, located between Dakshindari and Golaghata, have been closed to traffic since Friday night.
Officials estimate that fixing this primary structure will take approximately seven to eight days. Once completed, a thorough load test will be conducted to ensure safety and durability before the bridge is opened for public use. This project marks a first for the city, as it is the first time a modular steel structure for a Bailey bridge is being set up in Kolkata.
Enhanced Design for Safety and Utility
The new bridge incorporates improved safety features compared to existing ones. While the Bailey bridges in Majerhat and Lake Town have guard walls about 7 feet high, the new Dakshindari bridge will feature 14-foot-high guard walls. These walls run along both sides of the road surface, acting as protective barriers and providing enhanced support.
Furthermore, this bridge is designed for greater utility. Unlike the Lake Town Bailey bridge, which allows only one-way entry into Salt Lake from VIP Road, the 7.5-meter-wide Dakshindari bridge will facilitate two-way traffic movement. This will directly connect Salt Lake with VIP Road, improving connectivity for commuters.
Expected Impact on Traffic Congestion
The inauguration of this new bridge, which will be the second Bailey bridge off VIP Road, is anticipated to bring substantial relief to two major traffic choke points in the city. Authorities project that it will significantly reduce the traffic load at the busy Ultadanga Hudco crossing.
Additionally, it is expected to ease congestion at the Salt Lake AK and AJ block crossing junction, where a concrete vehicular bridge currently stands over the Kestopur canal. The new link will provide an alternative route, distributing traffic more efficiently across the area.
