Howrah Bridge is probably the second most popular attraction in Kolkata, after Victoria Memorial, if not first. The bridge connects two districts, namely Kolkata and Howrah, with a suspended span over the Hooghly River; hence, it is also called “The Gateway of Kolkata”. If you ever come to Kolkata by train (Howrah Station), you have probably already witnessed the famous cantilever road bridge. Otherwise, on your next visit, you must visit this Bridge. Today, we are going to share some interesting facts about the bridge, which also answers why the Howrah Bridge is so famous.

History

This bridge was commissioned in 1943, replacing the old Pontoon bridge. In those days, it was named the New Howrah Bridge. But on 14 June 1965, the New Howrah Bridge was renamed as Rabindra Setu, after the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore, who had written our National Anthem song. The older Pontoon bridge was built in 1874 and opened for the public on 17 October the same year. That bridge could be unfastened so that ferry and ocean steamers could cross it. Over time, due to the rapid increase in the traffic load, the Port commissioners decided to commission a new, improved bridge in the year 1905.

In 1906, the Port Commission appointed a committee headed by R.S. Highet, chief engineer of the East Indian Railway, and W.B. MacCabe, chief engineer of the Calcutta Corporation. They considered six options

1. Large ferry steamers capable of carrying a vehicular load (set up cost ₹900,000, annual maintenance cost ₹437,000).
2. A transporter’s bridge (set up cost ₹2 million).
3. A tunnel (set up cost ₹338.2 million, annual maintenance cost ₹1779,000)
4. A bridge on piers (set up cost ₹22.5 million)
5. A floating bridge (set up cost ₹2140,000, annual maintenance cost ₹200,000)
6. An arched bridge

Finally, they decided to build a floating bridge.

Why is Howrah Bridge famous

There are many movies featuring the famous Howrah Bridge

• Hindi Movie – Do Bigha Zamin, Howrah Bridge, Howrah Bridge, Amar Prem, Parineeta, Love Aaj Kal, Kahaani, Barfi!, Piku, etc.
• Bengali Movie – Bari Theke Paliye, Parash Pathar, Neel Akasher Neechey, Calcutta 71, Ekti Tarar Khonje, etc. Learn more here.

This bridge is not only famous for its appearance in movies but also for its construction, ease of connecting two districts. Even the sunset looks quite beautiful from the nearest ferry ghats.

Sunset at Ahiritola Ghat

Ferry service at Ahiritola Ghat

Interesting Facts

• The bridge does not have nuts and bolts, but was formed by riveting the whole structure.
• This bridge consumed 26,500 tons of steel, out of which 23,000 tons of high-tensile alloy steel, known as Tiscrom. Tata Steel supplied this alloy steel.
• Out of 26,000 tons of steel, England supplied only 3000 tons.
• Mr. Walton of M/s Rendel, Palmer & Triton designed the Howrah Bridge.
• The order for construction and erection was placed with M/s.Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company in 1939.
• The fabrication and erection work was awarded to a local engineering firm of Howrah: the Braithwaite, Burn & Jessop Construction Co.
• The entire project cost ₹25 million.
• The government did not have a formal opening of the bridge due to fears of attacks by Japanese planes fighting the Allied Powers.
• The first vehicle to use the bridge was a solitary tram.
• Construction started in 1936 and was completed in 1942. It was made open to the public on 3rd February 1943 (77 years ago as of 2020).
• This bridge was the third-longest Cantilever in the world during that era. But currently surpassed by three more bridges, which made it the sixth-longest bridge in its category in 2013.
• Howrah Bridge is a suspension-type cantilever bridge.
• It has a suspended span of 564 feet (172 m).
• On average, it withstands more than 4 lakh pedestrians and 3 Lakh vehicles daily.
• Kolkata Port Trust is responsible for maintaining the Howrah Bridge.
• This bridge has been featured in many famous films.
• The eastern end of the Bridge has few wheels because during the heavy summer, metal tends to get a minor expansion and for a fixed structure, it might crack, hence it is built in such a way that if it expands, it can have space to move.

Learn more about the bridge on Wikipedia.

Things to do

During the twilight, either you should walk the bridge or you should take a ferry ride to Ahiritola. This place becomes so beautiful, you can not imagine it. We recommend a leisurely walk to observe this bridge.

Howrah Bridge Walk

Howrah Bridge

Howrah Bridge at Evening

Howrah Bridge during sunset

Best time to visit

The bridge remains open 24 hours, throughout the year. So, if you have to travel towards Kolkata from Howrah or Vice-Versa you can do so anytime. But in case you want to visit this place as an attraction comes in the afternoon around 5 PM, so that you can witness this bridge both in the Day and at night. Very minimalist lighting on this bridge makes it heavenly beautiful during the dark.

Places to visit near Howrah Bridge

You may like to visit Ramkrishna Ghat for “Evening Arati”, Millennium Park, Princep Ghat, Eden Garden, Victoria Memorial, Smaranika Tram Museum, The RBI Museum, Botanical Garden, Belur Math, Dakhineswar Temple, etc.

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