New bridges design to be tested to prevent mishaps

To prevent mishap like flyover collapse in Kolkata, the Centre will get designs tested for bridges to be built under its ambitious 'Setu Bharatam' project under which British-era bridges and rail-over-bridges will be overhauled at a cost of Rs 50,800 crore.
"The government has decided to get the designs tested for all bridges and rail over bridges (ROBs) to be built under Setu Bharatam project to check recurrence of any Kolkata like tragedy," a senior official of the Road Transport and Highways Ministry said.
A 60 metre-long stretch of the 2.2 km under-construction flyover crashed down on March 31 on a congested road intersection in Kolkata, killing 24 people and injuring around 90 others.

The official said apart from this a 'safety' review of all ongoing highway and bridge projects under NHAI and road ministry is being conducted.
The Kolkata flyover was being built by Hyderabad-based infrastructure firm IVRCL.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month had launched the ambitious Rs 50,800-crore Setu Bharatam project to ensure highways without railway crossings by 2019 and overhaul of 1,500 British-era bridges.
Under the Setu Bharatam project, a total of 208 railway crossings will be replaced by rail over bridges (ROBs) by 2019 at an estimated cost of Rs 20,800 crore while 1,500 bridges of the British era will be overhauled at an estimated expenditure of Rs 30,000 crore across the country.