Mail News Service
Jamshedpur: South Eastern Railway (SER) is constructing a modern railway bridge over the Rupnarayan River in the crucial Howrah–Kharagpur section under Kharagpur Division to enhance safety and ease train operations.
The new bridge, which is expected to streamline rail traffic in the Howrah-Tatanagar section of South Eastern Railway, will replace the century-old Kolaghat Bridge No. 57, located between Deulti and Kolaghat stations, over which the Down Main and Middle lines currently operate.
Commissioned in 1900, the existing 804-metre-long steel girder bridge has been a lifeline connecting Howrah and Kolkata with the rest of the country for the past 125 years. Having completed its codal life, the bridge now requires replacement to ensure long-term safety and operational reliability.
The new bridge project, estimated at Rs 481.11 crore, will cater to the Down Main and Middle lines and will feature a combination of composite and open web girder structures along with viaducts. The plan also includes the redevelopment of Kolaghat station, with elevated platforms to be built on a diverted alignment.
The bridge is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2027 and is designed to serve rail traffic for at least the next 100 years. At present, operational constraints are being faced in this busy Howrah–Kharagpur section due to the ageing bridge and ongoing construction activity.
Freight trains and most Mail/Express and passenger services are prohibited from using the Down Main line over the old bridge. As a result, nearly all Down-direction trains—including goods, Mail/Express, passenger, and suburban services—are being routed through the Middle line, leading to congestion. Only a limited number of passenger trains are allowed with a speed restriction of 30 kmph on the Down Main line.
The reduction of a three-line section to two lines across the bridge has created a bottleneck, especially during peak hours. Routing all Down trains through the Middle line requires reversible signalling and complex diversions at stations on either side of the bridge, further affecting operational flexibility and punctuality.
The SER is making all possible efforts to ensure the safe and seamless movement of trains, said an official. Once completed, the new Kolaghat Railway Bridge will significantly improve safety, enhance section capacity, and streamline train operations, delivering a smoother and more comfortable travel experience for passengers while strengthening the rail network for the future.
