Kolkata, Nov 1 West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul on Sunday said she has written to the railway authorities, seeking a detailed health check-up of a bridge over the Damodar river, amid safety concerns arising from alleged illegal sand mining.
Paul said she feared the extent of sand mining carried out in the past might have damaged the pillars of the bridge connecting Asansol with Adra and affected its structural strength.
The Asansol Dakshin MLA said a thorough assessment of the bridge was necessary from the point of view of public safety.
There had been complaints of unscientific and illegal sand mining in the state during the previous TMC regime.
In May, the railway authorities announced bridge structure strengthening work in the Adra division.
“A project costing Rs 223.58 crore has been approved for the construction of Bridge No. 520 UP & 520 DN (substructure) between Madhukunda-Damodar section, along with associated yard remodelling and track works in bridge approaches under South Eastern Railway,” an earlier statement said.
The existing Damodar bridge has aged significantly and shows signs of structural distress, necessitating reconstruction of the foundation and substructure, the railways had said.
This section is a key railway link between Asansol and Tatanagar, forming part of an important DFC feeder route and coal corridor (Sini-Purulia-Asansol), and carries a high traffic density. The project will enhance safety, reliability, and operational efficiency, the statement said.
The redevelopment was expected to provide a boost to major industries in the Durgapur-Asansol belt by improving rail connectivity.
(PTI News)
