Vidyasagar Setu in Kolkata Faces Second Consecutive Sunday Closure for Major Repairs
In a significant development for Kolkata's commuters, the iconic Vidyasagar Setu will remain completely closed to all vehicular traffic for an extended period of 16 hours this Sunday. This marks the second consecutive Sunday that the vital bridge will be shut down, causing major disruptions to the city's traffic flow.
Extended Closure Hours and Critical Repair Work
The closure will be enforced on both flanks of the bridge from 5 am to 9 pm on Sunday. According to officials, this extended shutdown is necessary to carry out essential repair and rehabilitation work on the 33-year-old structure. The specific tasks include the replacement of crucial components such as stay cables and holding-down cables, along with bearings that are vital for the bridge's structural integrity.
The Hooghly River Bridge Commissioners (HRBC), the authority responsible for maintaining the bridge, is spearheading this comprehensive overhaul. Senior HRBC engineers have clarified that the work involves replacing two distinct types of cables:
- Stay Cables: These are critical tension members that support the bridge deck.
- Holding-Down Cables: These components help anchor and stabilize the structure.
Sunday's prolonged closure is specifically aimed at completing a significant portion of this complex cable replacement task, which is part of a larger rehabilitation project to ensure the bridge's long-term safety and functionality.
Traffic Diversions and Future Shutdowns
In response to the closure, Kolkata Police have announced that traffic will be systematically diverted through alternative routes to minimize congestion and ensure smooth movement across the city. Commuters are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and allow for extra travel time.
Police officials have also indicated that several more shutdowns will be required over the next three to four months to complete the extensive repair work. This suggests that residents and daily commuters should brace for periodic disruptions as the HRBC continues its vital maintenance operations on this key infrastructure asset.
The repeated closures underscore the aging nature of the Vidyasagar Setu and the pressing need for such rehabilitation efforts to maintain Kolkata's connectivity and public safety standards.
