Kolkata Gate test after bridge incident

The recent collapse of three bridges has setoff a series of tests on Newtown’s Kolkata Gate to check its strength and structural rigidity. Overarching the Major Arterial road of 55m-high steel and glass structure is almost complete. Hidco Decided to check the structural worthiness of Kolkata Gate after the Majerhat bridge and a bridge in Siliguri and in Kakdwip crashed. The inauguration of the gate that has a viewing gallery and cafeteria encircling the structure from inside, about 25m above the road, has been postponed for these tests. Experts from the IIT have built a scale model of the gate and connected it to an electronic data monitoring and logging system, Debashis Sen, Hidco chairman, said. “The model built with the same materials as the gate has been placed in front of huge turbines that can simulate wind speeds of more than 100kmph,” Sen said. The company will check all parts of the gate to ensure it is absolutely safe for use.