Sanchita Chatterjee, PIB/BS News Agency, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMP): Kolkata has launched a major renovation of the historic Bascule Bridge at the Kolkata Dock System to ensure safer, faster, and more efficient cargo movement. This vital infrastructure project, valued at ₹117.54 crore, will modernize the 1966-built engineering marvel that serves as a critical link between the Garden Reach –Metiabruz region and the rest of the city.
Pictures PIB/BS News Agency.
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 commercial vehicles and local commuters. Given its nearly six decades of service, this overhaul is essential for maintaining the structural integrity and mechanical efficiency of the port’s most important evacuation route.
To execute this complex task, SMP, Kolkata has partnered with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) through a formal Memorandum of Understanding. Following a competitive tender process, the work was awarded to M/s H & H Fressinet, Mumbai, in September 2025.
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 Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, has recognised the strategic importance of this project by granting ₹40 crore under the Sagarmala Scheme. This financial support highlights the government's commitment to modernising port infrastructure to support the growing demands of trade and industry in Eastern India.
"The Bascule Bridge is a cornerstone of our port’s logistics network," said Shri Rathendra Raman, Chairperson of SMP, Kolkata. "By investing in this comprehensive renovation, we are not just preserving a historic landmark but actively enhancing the safety and speed of port operations. This project ensures that Kolkata remains a robust and reliable gateway for maritime trade, while also supporting the daily transit needs of the city's residents. We look forward to its completion by May 2027."
Once finished, 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.