Bardhaman New Bridge: A Modern 4-Lane 'Industrial Bridge' To Be Built Over Damodar

The design for the proposed Industrial Bridge has now been approved. The state government decided to construct this bridge adjacent to the existing Krishak Setu over the Damodar River in Bardhaman, which is over 50 years old and in a deteriorated condition. The new bridge will be a 640-meter-long, three-lane extra-dosed cable-stayed bridge, with an estimated construction cost of ₹348 crore. The design has also been revealed, showing how the new bridge will look once completed, and it will feature special illumination. The structure will resemble the Second Hooghly Bridge, and a nighttime lighting plan has also been prepared.  

(Representative Image) A Modern 4-Lane 'Industrial Bridge' To Be Built Over Damodar

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Benefits For Multiple Districts  

The Industrial Bridge will significantly benefit people from Bardhaman, Hooghly, Bankura, Purulia, East and West Medinipur, and Jhargram. Improved connectivity is expected to boost investment in the region. Currently, Krishak Setu at Sadarghat in Bardhaman serves as a crucial link between Bardhaman and various regions, including South Damodar, Bankura, Purulia, and the Medinipur districts. However, the existing bridge, being nearly 50 years old, is now incapable of handling heavy loads.  

Nearly one and a half years ago, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the construction of a new bridge over the Damodar River near Bardhaman town, naming it "Shilpa Setu" (Industrial Bridge). 

Project Details And Implementation 

According to Nabanna sources, the new bridge will be a four-lane structure, and the road leading up to Bankura Mor will also be expanded to four lanes. The estimated cost for this 640-meter-long bridge is ₹348 crore, and the tender process has already begun. Once the tender formalities are completed, construction work will commence.  

Currently, State Highway 7 (Bardhaman-Arambagh Road) passes over Krishak Setu, but the bridge is struggling with heavy vehicular traffic. Its deteriorating condition has led to frequent repairs and closures, causing major inconveniences for locals.  

A Permanent Solution For Connectivity Issues  

To resolve this issue permanently, the Chief Minister planned the Industrial Bridge. The Krishak Setu serves as a crucial link between Purulia, Medinipur, Jhargram, Birbhum, West Bardhaman, Nadia, and Murshidabad. The new "Shilpa Setu" will be built right beside it.  

According to the district administration, agriculture-based industries are steadily growing in South Damodar, and the construction of this new bridge will further boost industrial potential. The Krishak Setu, built 46 years ago, was a two-lane bridge that played a key role in Bardhaman’s development. The city’s trade and commerce heavily relied on South Damodar regions like Raina, Madhabdihi, Khandaghosh, and Jamalpur.  

Economic Growth And Future Prospects  

Representative Image 

Over the years, Bardhaman’s infrastructure has undergone significant changes—the GT Road has been expanded to four lanes, and non-town service buses have been restricted within the city. These changes impacted local businesses in some areas.  

However, with the state government’s announcement in this year’s budget to build a parallel four-lane bridge to the east of Krishak Setu, connectivity in South Damodar and Bardhaman will greatly improve, raising economic expectations among residents. There are also plans for an economic corridor passing through Bardhaman and South Damodar, which, if implemented, could transform the region’s landscape.