Kolkata: Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) launched a major renovation of the bascule bridge at the Kolkata Dock System to ensure safer, faster and more efficient cargo movement. This vital infrastructure project, valued at Rs 117.5 crore, will modernise the 1966-built marvel that serves as a critical link between the Garden Reach-Metiabruz region and the rest of the city.Originally constructed by the Austrian firm Waagner-Biro Bridge Systems AG, the double-leaf rolling bridge is a unique piece of engineering. Its leaves open to allow cargo ships to pass between Kidderpore Dock-I and Dock-II, and close to provide a primary road route for heavy vehicles and local commuters. To execute this task, SMPK partnered with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited through a formal MoU. Bids were invited, and the work was awarded to H & H Fressinet, Mumbai. The renovation involves a complete upgrade of the bridge’s massive 1,640-tonne steel structure and its intricate electro-mechanical systems, including the hydraulic gears and the rack-and-pinion arrangements that power its movement.The ministry of ports, shipping and waterways granted Rs 40 crore to the project under the Sagarmala Scheme. “The bascule bridge is a cornerstone of our port’s logistics network,” said Rathendra Raman, chairperson of SMPK. “By investing in this renovation, we are not just preserving a landmark but enhancing the safety and speed of port operations. This project ensures that Kolkata remains a reliable gateway for maritime trade, while also supporting the daily transit needs of the citizens. We look forward to its completion by May 2027.““The upgraded bridge will provide a seamless experience for both maritime and road traffic, reducing delays and boosting the overall economic productivity of the region,” said SMPK spokesperson Sanjoy Kumar Mukherjee.
