Commuters face trouble after Kolkata bridge collapse

Kolkata : Thousands of people on Wednesday struggled to commute in the city due to traffic diversions necessitated following the collapse of the Majerhat Bridge on Diamond Harbour Road in south Kolkata.

Traffic snarls were reported at various points in the morning in the south-western parts of the city. Diversions in both directions had to be imposed leading to pressure on these roads.

Resenting the bridge collapse and the traffic diversion a resident of the south-western suburbs said, "I am a teacher and am not able to reach the school in Budge-budge today on teacher's day."

"This road is so bad that another accident can take place and with the chocked traffic after the bridge collapse, it has become more difficult for the daily passengers. It has been almost 45 minutes and I don't know when will I reach the destination," said a passenger travelling in a public bus on Hyde road which is an alternative for the Taratala-Khidipur route.

Vehicles had to be diverted via Kidderpore, CGR Road to Taratala, also through Judges Court Road and from Diamond Park in far south, traffic police said.

According to Eastern Railway official, train services from Sealdah to New Alipore and Dum Dum to Majerhat station was normal. However, services have not yet resumed between New Alipore and Mejerhat. The Circular Railway portion of railway track between two stations are temporarily suspended.

One man was killed in Tuesday's bridge collapse that left 19 injured and several vehicles damaged.