Vidyasagar Setu to close for 16 hours on Sunday | Check alternate routes

Vidyasagar Setu, also known as the Second Hooghly Bridge, will be completely closed to all vehicular traffic for 16 hours on Sunday, July 12. According to an official notification issued by the Kolkata Police Traffic Department, the total restriction on movement will remain in effect from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. This temporary closure has become mandatory to execute critical repair and renovation work essential for maintaining the structural health of the iconic bridge.

The specialized maintenance project involves replacing the bridge's vital 'stay cables' and 'holding down cables'. Structural experts have advised that allowing any operational load or vehicle pressure on the bridge during this delicate replacement procedure could present severe safety hazards. Consequently, authorities decided a complete shutdown was necessary to prevent any danger. Since the closure falls on a Sunday holiday, the Kolkata Police Traffic Control expects minimal disruption for regular daily commuters.

To manage the traffic flow, extensive alternative routes have been charted out for vehicles moving between Kolkata and Howrah. Vehicles on KP Road heading towards the bridge via the Y-point ramp near Ghora Pass will be re-routed from the Y-point toward the 11th Furlong Gate. Eastbound traffic coming from the Khidirpur side will be redirected from Hastings Crossing via St. George's Gate Road and Strand Road to access the Howrah Bridge instead. Meanwhile, westbound vehicles originating from J&N Island will be diverted from the 11th Furlong Gate toward Hastings Crossing.

Additionally, westbound traffic arriving from the Jiroot Island side via AJC Bose Road will be re-routed toward Hastings Crossing using the at-grade road system. The Kolkata Police added that further traffic diversions may be implemented on other city roads dynamically to alleviate pressure on these secondary routes. Once the technical operations conclude, engineering teams will review the structural status after 10:00 PM to safely resume normal traffic services.