The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) has chosen an engineering company to dismantle the Chitpore railway overbridge, which connects Bagbazar and Cossipore in north Kolkata.
The state finance department's approval is awaited before the work order is issued, said an official of the KMDA, which will supervise the demolition.
The bridge is in a "distressed" condition and an advisory committee formed to study the health of bridges and flyovers recommended its demolition about four years ago. The demolition was kept on hold as the state government had decided to first pull down the Tallah bridge.
The new Tallah bridge was opened in September 2022.
KMDA officials said the company that pulled down the Vivekananda Road flyover will dismantle the Chitpore railway overbridge.
"The company has been chosen through competitive bidding. The matter is now before the state finance department, whose approval is required before we can issue the work order," said an official.
The company has quoted Rs 7 crore for the project.
"The distress marks on the Chitpore overbridge are visible even to the naked eye," said a KMDA official. "One can see rust in iron reinforcements. The reinforcements below the deck slab have also got exposed."
The tender mentioned that the dismantling has to be completed within two-and-a-half months. "There are railway tracks under the bridge and the dismantling has to be done in coordination with the railways," said a KMDA official.
Sources said the two-lane bridge, which is at least 70 years old, has a 7.5m-wide carriageway and footpaths on both sides that are 1.2m wide.
About 30 families who live under the bridge have to be relocated. "The Kolkata Municipal Corporation will look after the relocation," said a KMDA official.