Kolkata: Chetla, Chitpore bridges beyond repair; Kalighat pillars corroded

KOLKATA: The Chetla Lock Gate bridge near New Alipore and Chitpore bridge near Kolkata station are beyond repairs and the condition of Kalighat bridge is not too well, the preliminary findings of the state-appointed bridge advisory committee have stated.
The condition of Sealdah bridge and Aurobindo Setu is, however, not too much to be worried about. Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) will review the reports and take further decisions on what will be done to these bridges.

Following the alert, the Chetla Lock Gate bridge has been closed for traffic movement and heavy vehicles have been completely barred from plying on Kalighat bridge.
According to a member of the bridge advisory committee, heavy corrosion has damaged the steel superstructure of Chetla Lock Gate bridge. “During inspection, it has been found that the steel structure has been completely ravaged with piers being badly misused as peeing corners. The same is with the Chitpore bridge,” said an official.
The load test of Sealdah and Kalighat bridges has been completed as of now, but officials said that more tests may be required for Kalighat bridge. “Acidic water of the canal has corroded the pillars of Kalighat bridge. This has diminished the bridge’s load-bearing capacity. Heavy vehicles have been barred from plying on the bridge till the bridge gets overhauled,” said a KMDA official.
As per preliminary reports, there is not too much to be worried about the structural condition of Sealdah bridge and Aurobindo Setu. “As for Aurobindo Setu, more tests will be conducted over the weekend but as of now, the bridge’s load-bearing capacity appears to be okay. However, the ball bearings need to be replaced,” said the official. There has not been any major repair work of Aurobindo bridge since it was constructed way back in 1972.
Meanwhile, an extended weekend and a clear sky helped police tide over all possible traffic challenges on Friday, the first day when three bridges in the city – Aurobindo Setu linking Gouribari with Ultadanga, Jibanananda Setu linking Jadavpur police station with Vivek Nagar on Prince Anwar Shah connector and Bankim Setu — were shut for maintenance.
The Aurobindo Setu diversions left an impact on Ultadanga crossing with vehicular movement remaining slow. The flank leading to VIP Road was packed with vehicles. With some routes diverted via Patipukur, people had trouble locating buses and autos charged double the fare.