Iconic Howrah Bridge heads for a health check-up after two decades

Custodian of the bridge is already in talks with an incubation centre at IIT Madras; last major health audit by RITES for British-era bridge spanned from mid-1980s till early 1990s

The iconic Howrah Bridge is due for a comprehensive health checkup after close to two decades.

The custodian of the bridge, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK, formerly Kolkata Port Trust), is already engaged in discussions with National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways & Coasts – an incubation centre at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) that works as the technology arm of the Ministry of Shipping and IITM. Once the scope of work is defined, a call may be taken on roping in external experts if required.

The last major health audit by RITES for the British-era bridge