• The Daily Hints
• 21 Jan, 2025

Starting from January 23rd a part of Bally Bridge and train services on the Sealdah to Dankuni route will remain suspended for critical maintenance work. The closure will cause significant travel disruptions for commuters with alternative routes being planned to minimise inconvenience.

Why the Bally Bridge Closure is Necessary

Bally Bridge will remain partially closed for five days as workers replace old worn-out iron girders on a crucial section of the bridge. From “January 23 (12 AM) to January 27” vehicular movement from Kolkata towards Dankuni and beyond will be rerouted via the Nivedita Setu.

According to officials vehicles heading “towards Kolkata” can still use one side of the bridge but outbound traffic will be entirely diverted. Maintenance work will focus on ensuring long-term safety necessitating the complete shutdown of one lane.

Impact on Public Transport

Private bus operators and transport authorities met on Saturday to discuss solutions to minimise the impact on commuters.

- Buses and Cars: Outbound vehicles from Kolkata to Dankuni, Bombay Road or Delhi Road will use Nivedita Setu with “no toll fees” for buses during this period. 

- Temporary Stops: A temporary boarding point for passengers near Nivedita Setu will be set up allowing smoother transitions to alternative transport.

100 Hour Train Suspension on Sealdah to Dankuni Route

Train services on the Sealdah-Dankuni route will be suspended for “100 hours”, starting “4 AM on January 23^rd until 4 AM on January 27^th”. This includes

- Cancellation of “22 Dankuni local trains”.

- Suspension of several mail and express trains.

Eastern Railway officials stated that the closure is essential to replace deteriorating girders near Bally Halt Station.

Commuter Solutions in Place

To reduce passenger inconvenience

- A temporary bus stop will be established near Nivedita Setu to allowing passengers to board Howrah line trains.

- Transport authorities are coordinating with rail and police departments to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and commuter assistance.

Read More: Today Early Morning Government Bus Accident Claims A Mother’s Life, 3 Year Old Daughter Cries Out, "Where’s Mama.?"

Impact Analysis

This critical maintenance is expected to significantly improve the safety and longevity of Bally Bridge but the disruptions will inconvenience thousands of daily commuters. Alternative arrangements like toll free bus routes and temporary stops aim to ease the burden on passengers.

While the Bally Bridge closure and train suspension are temporary the inconvenience caused is unavoidable. Passengers are advised to plan their travel routes accordingly and follow updates from local authorities for a smoother commute.