Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port announced the launch of a major modernisation project for its historic bascule bridge in the Kolkata Dock System, aiming to enhance cargo transportation efficiency and strengthen port infrastructure. The renovation work is estimated to cost Rs 117.54 crore.
The bascule bridge, a rare example of specialised engineering technology, is horizontally divided at the centre and can be raised like a level crossing to allow ships to pass. It opens when vessels enter or leave Khiderpore Dock and closes after their passage, reconnecting both halves. Apart from Kolkata, similar bascule bridges exist in Mumbai and Rameswaram.
Commissioned in November 1966, the double-leaf rolling bridge was built by Waagner-Biro Bridge Systems AG. It connects the Garden Reach and Metiabruz areas with the rest of Kolkata and serves as a crucial transport link for port traffic, facilitating the movement of heavy commercial vehicles as well as daily passenger traffic.
The bridge plays a vital role in enabling ships to pass between Khidirpur Dock-1 and Dock-2. Port authorities noted that the structure, weighing about 1,640 tonnes, has been in continuous service for nearly six decades. The ongoing modernisation aims to upgrade its steel structure and electro-mechanical systems, including hydraulic gears and rack-and-pinion mechanisms.
The project is being implemented in partnership with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). The contract was awarded in September 2025 to Mumbai-based M/s H&H Freyssinet through a competitive bidding process.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has sanctioned Rs 40 crore for the project under the Sagarmala initiative, underscoring its strategic importance in strengthening eastern India’s trade infrastructure.
SMPK Chairperson Rathendra Raman described the bascule bridge as a cornerstone of the port’s logistics network.
“The Bascule Bridge is a cornerstone of our port's logistics network. By investing in this comprehensive renovation, we are preserving a historical landmark as well as enhancing the safety and speed of port operations,” he said.
The modernisation work is expected to be completed by May 2027. Once finished, the upgraded bridge will improve maritime and road connectivity, ensuring smoother cargo movement and contributing to increased regional economic productivity.
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