Kolkata Port Commences ₹117.54 Crore Bascule Bridge Upgrade.

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, announced on Wednesday the launch of a ₹117.54-crore modernisation project for its iconic Bascule Bridge at the Kolkata Dock System. The initiative aims to enhance safety, speed, and efficiency in cargo movement.

The project will upgrade the 1966-built bridge, a vital link connecting the Garden Reach–Metiabruz area with the rest of Kolkata, port authorities said.

Originally constructed by Austrian firm Waagner-Biro Bridge Systems AG, the double-leaf rolling bridge is a unique engineering feat. Its leaves lift to allow cargo ships to pass between Kidderpore Dock-I and Dock-II and lower to facilitate road traffic for heavy commercial vehicles and local commuters.

Port officials described the modernisation as crucial for supporting the growing cargo traffic and maintaining the operational efficiency of the Kolkata Dock System.