Howrah Bridge, a well-known landmark in Kolkata, is a steel-balanced cantilever bridge built over the Hooghly River in West Bengal. This iconic landmark serves as one of four bridges across the Hooghly River. Since it replaced a pontoon bridge at the same position connecting the cities of Howrah and Kolkata, the Howrah Bridge was officially opened in 1943. It was renamed Rabindra Setu (after the legendary Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore) on June 14, 1965. It continues to be popularly referred to as the Howrah Bridge today. It is the busiest cantilever bridge in the world, carrying at least 100,000 vehicles and more than 150,000 pedestrians daily.
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See also: Signature Bridge Delhi: History and notable features
Howrah Bridge: Architecture
An important landmark in Kolkata, Howrah Bridge is an architectural wonder, having been constructed without a single nut or bolt. The bridge was formally categorised as a ‘suspension type balanced cantilever’ since it was unique and the only one of its kind in the world when it was constructed. When it was first introduced, it was the third-longest cantilever bridge. Thirty-nine hangers support the primary trusses from which the bridge deck hangs.
The bridge needed 20,000 tonne of steel, of which only 3,000 tonne came from England, while the remaining 23,000 tonne of high-tension steel was ordered from Tata Steel under the name TISCROM. Single monolith caissons were used in the construction of the main tower. The cantilevered arms were built in the middle of the summer of 1941 after the foundation’s construction was finished in 1938. The suspended span’s two halves weigh 2,000 tonne and measure 282 feet in length. The total project cost Rs 25 million (GBP 2,463,887).
Howrah Bridge: Layout and structure
Howrah Bridge connecting Kolkata and Howrah is a suspension-style balanced cantilever bridge with a 564-foot suspended span and a central span of 1,500 feet (460 m) between the major tower centres (172 m). The major towers are 76 feet (23 m) apart at the peak and rise 280 feet (85 m) above the monoliths. The cantilever arms are 468 feet (143 m) long while the anchor arms are 325 feet (99 m) in length. With 39 pairs of hangers, the bridge deck is suspended from panel points in the lower chord of the main trusses.
The anchor arms are free from deck load since the ground supports the roads beyond the towers. Cross girders are part of the deck system, suspended by a pinned connection between the pairs of hangers. Between cross girders are six rows of longitudinal stringer girders. A continuous system of pressed steel troughing covered in concrete is supported transversally by floor beams on top of stringers.
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Howrah Bridge: Lighting
In January 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the bridge’s interactive light and sound performance. The new Rabindra Setu decorative lighting includes:
- 650 energy-efficient LEDs
- Spotlight fittings for programmable multi-colour lighting
- A music-syncing display
The lights give the bridge an iconic appearance. The brand-new interactive programme/show is meant to attract both tourists and locals from all across the world.
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Howrah Bridge: How to reach?
Howrah Bridge serves as a gateway to Kolkata It begins just a few steps away from Howrah Junction Train Station. One can walk or get a taxi to experience travelling through this engineering feat.
You may easily get a taxi here if you arrive in Kolkata via flight. You can reserve a private taxi from one of Kolkata’s top vehicle rental services for hassle-free travel to the city’s well-known tourist destinations.
By air
Howrah Bridge is only 11.8 kilometres from Kolkata (CCU) Airport. From the airport to the Howrah Bridge, WBTC’s AC-9 bus travels at a fare of roughly Rs. 50.
By train
Howrah Junction, located 0.9 kilometres away, is the closest railway station. The location is within walking distance.
By road
Howrah Station to Howrah Bridge can be reached in 3 different ways: by bus, car, or on foot. Getting from Howrah Station to Howrah Bridge by bus takes around a minute. By bus, you can expect to pay between Rs 16 – Rs 23. It takes roughly 5 minutes to walk the 420 metres from Howrah Station to Howrah Bridge.
Howrah Bridge: History and construction
In 1862, the Government of Bengal asked the chief engineer of the East Indian Railway Company, George Turnbull, to conduct a feasibility study for constructing a bridge on the Hooghly River. The feasibility report suggested that the foundations for a bridge at Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta) would be at a considerable depth and cost owing to the depth of the mud there. It was suggested that an ideal place for the bridge was at Pulta Ghat. In 1855–56, a committee was set up to review alternatives for constructing a bridge across the river.
The Calcutta Port Trust, founded in 1870, and the Legislative department of the then Government of Bengal passed the Howrah Bridge Act in 1871 under the Bengal Act IX of 1871. The act allowed the lieutenant governor to have the bridge built with Government capital under the aegis of the Port Commissioners. A contract was signed with Sir Bradford Leslie to build a pontoon bridge (floating bridge). Different parts of the bridge were made in England, shipped to Kolkata and assembled at the location.
However, the bridge got damaged due a cyclone. The Howrah Bridge at Howrah, West Bengal was complete in 1874 at a cost of Rs 2.2 million. Initially, it was regularly unfastened to permit marine vehicle to pass through. In 1905, Port Commissioners started planning for a new bridge.
Howrah Bridge: Things to do
Take a long walk on the bridge
To glimpse the town and its citizens, stroll along this bridge. It is constantly packed with daily traffic. It is simple to wander on the bridge because there are distinct pedestrian lanes. A photographer’s paradise, the bridge is also a wonderful location for street photography.
Visit the Mallik Ghat Flower Market
Mallik Ghat flower market, thought to be Asia’s biggest, is situated directly under the shadow of Howrah bridge on its east end. The flower market is the busiest in India and operates out of temporary shacks. It opens at three in the morning. The market is a hub for photographers.
Take a cruise on the Ganges
Numerous cruise options are available on the Ganges, including breakfast, lunch, evening, and supper cruises. Each journey takes three hours.
Sundarban day cruises
Sundarban National Park in the Bay of Bengal is said to be the world’s largest delta region and the largest single block of tidal mangrove forest. The name of the forest was derived from the Sundari trees widely distributed in the area and which grow at the convergence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghana. The national park is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger and other wildlife species like crocodiles, monitor lizards, langurs, spotted deer, snakes, and birds. It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A day cruise to Sundarban departs from Godkhali Jetty, which is near Howrah Bridge.
Magen David Synagogue
Magen David Synagogue is located 1.6 kilometres away from Howrah Bridge, near the intersection of Brabourne Road and Canning Street. It is Kolkata’s oldest synagogue and was constructed by Elias David Ezra as a tribute to his late father. The architecture is in the Italian Renaissance style with a red brick finish.
FAQs
Why is Howrah Bridge famous?
The Howrah Bridge, a massive steel bridge spanning the Hooghly River, is a well-known landmark in Kolkata. It is regarded as one of the world's longest cantilever bridges, having been constructed without a single nut or bolt, which makes it so famous. Apart from this, it connects Howrah and Kolkata and carries 100,000 vehicles and countless pedestrians daily.
Can you walk on Howrah Bridge?
Even though it's one of the world's busiest bridges throughout the day, only trucks use it in the early morning hours. As the regular commuters don't arrive until later, it's one of the few occasions when you may drive or stroll down the bridge alone and in peace.
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