Billed as West Bengal's longest flyover (roughly 7km) and dedicated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in January 2019, the "Sampriti" (Harmony) flyover developed visible cracks on pillars 121 and 122 by January 8, 2020 — barely a year after opening — forcing KMDA to halt all vehicular movement for about 26 hours as a precaution.
On record
The official record states: "KMDA chief engineer Ashish Sen attributed the cracking to "thermal contraction" caused by the dry winter season, stating "there is nothing to worry as such cracks develop because of contraction.""
Filed as "Under repeat repair" and dated to Opened January 2019, this entry sits under the "₹355 crore (revised up from an initial ₹255 crore estimate; ₹86.8 crore centrally funded via JNNURM)" line of the public accounts.
What to expect
- Pillars reaching skyward with no deck to justify them.
- A signboard promising an opening date that has since passed, unbothered.
- Traffic queuing patiently beneath the unfinished span.
- Rebar exposed where the road was meant to continue.
Sourcing
2 public sources — news reports, RTI replies and civic archives — corroborate this entry. The citation trail is listed below for anyone who would like to follow up with the department concerned.
“The file moves faster than the machinery.”— Blunderlust Editorial Desk
Sources
- https://www.etvbharat.com/english/state/west-bengal/bengals-longest-flyover-develops-crack-in-just-a-year/na20200108224821642
- https://www.republicworld.com/india/shut-due-to-cracks-bengals-longest-flyover-opens-to-traffic-after-26-hours
Visitor reviews
“Went the day after reading a very stern newspaper editorial about it. The design won an award; the execution is still under consideration.”
“Came with my walking group, who now bring everyone here. You can see straight through the transparency of the tender.”
“Visited on a rare free evening in Kolkata. It is a cautionary tale you can stand next to.”
