The Bascule Bridge in Kidderpore that serves as a lifeline to the commuters and motorists heading to and fro Garden Reach, is all set to undergo an overhaul. The custodian of the bridge, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMPK) has launched a major renovation of the historic Bascule Bridge at the Kolkata Dock System.
The revamp, according to SMP sources, 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. To execute this complex task, SMPK 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 ministry of ports, shipping and waterways is said to have granted a sum of Rs 40 crore under the Sagarmala Scheme. This vital infrastructure project of revamp is to cost around Rs 117.54 crore. The overhaul is to modernise the 1966-built engineering marvel that serves as a critical link between the Garden Reach-Metiabruz region and the rest of the city.
Chairperson of SMP Rathendra Raman said: “This project ensures that Kolkata remains a robust and reliable gateway for maritime trade. We look forward to its completion by May 2027,” he added.