The base of the pillars of the landmark Howrah Bridge, used by 1.2 lakh vehicles and 5 lakh pedestrians daily, have been encased in fibreglass casings after severe damage was caused to them by gutka-laced sputum.
Portions of the base of the pillars of the 70-year-old bridge, the world’s busiest, used as public spittoons have reduced by half from the menace.
“A lot of damage has already been caused. Our studies show that the thickness of the steel hoods protecting the hangers have reduced by 50 per cent of their original size in the past four years,” A. K. Mehra, Chief Engineer of the Kolkata Port Trust, which maintains the bridge, told PTI here.
Half-chewed betel leaves, areca nut and slaked lime contain highly corrosive elements that wear away steel.
“Saliva laced with gutka makes a lethal combination. It is now affecting the stability of the hangers that transfer the load of traffic uniformly across the structure,” Mehra said.