A team headed by V.K Raina – an expert on bridges – submitted a report on Kolkata’s Tallah railway overbridge before the West Bengal government and stated that the 57 year old structure ought to be completely demolished. The committee, appointed by the West Bengal government to examine the condition of the bridge and to suggest remedies, found this to be the only option.
V.K Raina is technical advisor to the government of Bahrain on Qatar Sea Link. He has been an engineering consultant in over 20 countries. His team inspected the Tallah bridge thoroughly on October 3 and studied its condition, and in the report it has been observed that a total of seven spans have been irreparably damaged and such an extensive repair work is impossible to carry out.
Thus the structure needs to be demolished and then constructed again from scratch. Less than a month ago, an engineering services company RITES had also made their suggestions along similar lines after inspection and detailed studies. With both reports indicating no other option, it seems more or less certain that the bridge will be demolished.
The report by Raina and his team was submitted to the chief secretary of West Bengal, Rajiva Sinha. Officials from the Public Works Department (PWD), railways and other departments concerned were present at a meeting in the state administrative headquarters, Nabanna, today to discuss the future of the damaged structure.
It was suggested on behalf of the expert team to find out some alternative routes for the vehicles within the next two months before demolition. A meeting headed by chief minister Mamata Banerjee will be held at Nabanna on Saturday which will take the final decision.
