New Kolkata Bailey Bridge Set to Open This Month
Commuters in Kolkata can expect a major traffic relief soon. The third Bailey bridge connecting Salt Lake and VIP Road near Dakshindari is likely to open to traffic by January 31. This development promises smoother connectivity for those travelling from Sector V and EM Bypass.
Enhanced Safety and Structural Features
Officials highlight significant safety improvements in this new bridge. While existing Bailey bridges in Majerhat and Lake Town have guard walls approximately 7 feet high, the new structure boasts 14-foot-high guard walls. This design provides added support to the bridge's road surface, enhancing overall stability.
The bridge construction began in October 2025 with an initial deadline set for December. The West Bengal Urban Development Department is funding the project, with an estimated cost of around Rs 6 crore. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) is building the structure using structural steel with a concrete foundation.
Technical Specifications and Traffic Benefits
This new two-way bridge measures about 46 metres long and 7.5 metres wide. It is designed to allow heavy loads, making it suitable for various types of vehicles. Once operational, it will serve as the third Bailey bridge across the canal running between VIP Road and Salt Lake.
The bridge is expected to significantly ease congestion on the Ultadanga flyover. Currently, two bridges exist across the canal. The first near Kestopur ends near Tank No. 8 in Salt Lake, providing access to Karunamoyee. However, motorists often avoid this route due to its narrow road with multiple speed breakers.
The second bridge near Lake Town is a one-way structure primarily used by vehicles avoiding the Ultadanga flyover to reach EM Bypass. Built in 2018 after cracks appeared in one of the Ultadanga flyovers, it allows vehicles from the airport side to proceed towards Salt Lake.
Construction Progress and Inauguration Plans
According to Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) sources, work on the bridge's sub-structure has been completed. The girders have been launched, and it took seven to eight days to fix the structure. This marks the first time a modular steel structure for a Bailey bridge is being set up in the city.
A Bailey bridge is a type of modular bridge with pre-built parts that can be assembled quickly. English civil engineer Donald Coleman Bailey invented it during World War II. Once the bridge is fully ready for traffic movement, authorities will fix a date for its official inauguration.
Sources indicate that the bridge will open to traffic soon after completion, with formal inauguration ceremonies to follow. This project represents a significant infrastructure upgrade for Kolkata, addressing long-standing traffic bottlenecks in the area.
