PWD in a fix over funds to repair 39 bridges in south Bengal districts
At least 39 bridges in five south Bengal districts — North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, Howrah, Nadia and Murshidabad — are in need of urgent renovation or replacement, a report prepared by the public works department has revealed, but the authorities don’t know how to raise funds for the upkeep the structures.
A source in the PWD said estimates suggested the repairs and restoration would require Rs 140 crore. But at a time when all other expenditures barring Covid-19 related activities have been put to a stop by the finance department, he wondered how the PWD would get the necessary funds.
“The cause of concern is the report is of bridges in five districts only. I don’t know how many bridges need urgent repairs throughout the state right at this moment. Arranging for funds for the repairs would be a challenging job,” said a senior PWD official.
