Kolkata: The deck surface of Howrah Bridge requires replacement, and some of the joints need overhauling, a health audit of the iconic bridge has revealed. Sensors and other digital devices will soon be installed to enable real-time monitoring of the 82-year-old cantilever bridge, also known as Rabindra Setu. Such devices monitor the impact of load at various points of the structure. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (formerly Kolkata Port or KoPT), the custodian of Howrah Bridge, conducted an overnight traffic block on Nov 16 last year to facilitate the first health audit of the bridge since the eighties. RITES, which carried out the previous study from 1983 to 1988, was again entrusted with the task. The final report is expected to be submitted to Kolkata Port authorities next month, according to Samrat Rahi, deputy chairman, SMP, Kolkata. "The health report by RITES was prepared. There aren't any major signs of weakness in the structure. The recommendations relate to the replacement of the deck surface and overhauling of some of the joints, which are largely okay. These can be done for a limited cost," said Rahi. KoPT commissioned the bridge in 1943. Around 1 lakh vehicles and 1.5 lakh pedestrians traverse it daily. In Dec last year, a team from consulting firm Rendel, London (formerly Rendel, Palmer & Triton, UK), including Michael J. King, senior consultant, and Omar Nabeel, bridges team leader and assistant technical director, inspected the bridge as part of the current health audit undertaken by SMPK for the long-term durability and safety of the bridge.
"The digital system, comprising sensors, will instantly reveal any issue relating to the structure," Rahi said, adding installation is expected within a year. According to the current contract, Rendel Ltd was engaged by RITES for critical tasks such as providing documents related to design and drawings, visual inspection, assessment reports, and review of rehabilitation and strengthening proposals for Rabindra Setu.