Mohanpur Bridge Load Capacity Increased to 35 Tons, Bringing Relief to Traders

• The load capacity of Deshpran Birendra Setu (Mohanpur Bridge) on the Kangsabati River has been increased from 25 tons to 35 tons.
• This new permit, effective from Thursday night, currently applies to heavy vehicles traveling from Medinipur to Kharagpur.
• The decision was made after detailed discussions with the Public Works Department and National Highways Authority, following an experimental phase.
• The bridge, constructed in 1972, was identified as weak in 2022 and underwent renovation in 2023, limiting traffic to 25 tons.
• Construction of two new alternative bridges on NH 60 (now NH 14) at Mohanpur and Dhadika has also begun, expected to take two years.

Why It Matters: Mohanpur Bridge's increased load capacity to 35 tons eases heavy vehicle traffic, benefiting traders.