Vidyasagar Setu to undergo replacement works

The Vidyasagar Setu or Second Hugli Bridge which links Kolkata and Howrah will be undergoing major replacement works soon. The steel cables and bearings of the bridge have corroded over the years and will thus be replaced with new ones. The bridge has given service continuously for the last 25 years without any major replacement works, but now it will be replaced to keep the structure of the bridge strong enough. 12 stay cables which run from the tower to the surface of the bridge and 16 holding down cables that are attached to the underbelly of the bridge will be replaced due to corrosion issues. Along with these cables, 30 bearings will also be replaced which acts as a cushion to absorb the load of the traffic on the bridge. The State Government has engaged consulting agency RITES to conduct the replacement and maintenance works of the Vidyasagar Setu and the project will be completed at a cost of Rs 200 crore. This bridge started operation in 1992 and this is the first time that it is undergoing such major maintenance works. Pankaj Kumar Singh, General Manager of RITES said, “More than 25 years have passed since the inauguration of the bridge and the steel has corroded a lot. Replacement of the cables and the bearings will start within six months and be completed in three years. The replacement will cost about Rs 200 crore”. He also said, “Work will be done at night to minimize traffic disruption. Traffic diversions will be in place at night”.