Buses and heavy vehicles using the Chitpore bridge in the north are being diverted through adjoining roads to lessen the load on the structure, which spans across the Chitpore railway yard.
Police said the move was drawn up considering the “structural safety” of the structure and will continue “until further orders”.
Buses and heavy vehicles headed towards BT Road and further north towards Dunlop will be diverted though PK Mukherjee Road from the intersection of Cossipore Road and PK Mukherjee Road and will be directed towards a railway level crossing via a service road. This arrangement will be followed around the clock.
For buses headed towards the city proper from Cossipore, police have two arrangements.
Buses and other heavy vehicles will be diverted through the Lockgate flyover from Chiria More from 5am to 1pm. After 1pm, these vehicles will be diverted through Paikpara, Raja Manindra Road, Belgachhia Road, RG Kar Road and the Shyambazar five-point crossing.
“The bridge over the railway yard in Chitpore will be examined thoroughly to assess its load-bearing capacity. Accordingly, measures will be taken to strengthen the structure,” said a senior CMDA official.
"The Chitpore bridge on the circular canal has already been strengthened. But the condition of the other is not up to the mark.”
Located on Chitpore Road, the bridge over the railway yard brings in hundreds of vehicles from parts of north Kolkata to Bagbazar every day.
Engineers said the arches of the bridge and its underbelly have weakened following years of constant exposure to heavy traffic. No strengthening work has been carried out over the last few years and the bridge has almost outlived its existence, they said.
“Some grouting activities will have to be carried out,” the official said.
