Isn’t it true that when you think of Kolkata, the first thing that comes to mind is the Howrah Bridge, also known as the New Howrah Bridge. This suspended cantilever bridge spans the Hooghli River in West Bengal and stands as a symbol and pride of Kolkata. It holds a prominent place in Kolkata’s history and has served as a backdrop in many Bollywood and Bengali movies. Read on to get a good insight on some amazing, interesting and lesser-known facts about Howrah Bridge.
Why is Howrah Bridge so famous?
The Howrah Bridge connects the twin cities of Howrah and Kolkata and is often called the “Gateway to Kolkata” because it links the busy Howrah Railway Junction with the city of Kolkata. This connection is one reason why the bridge holds great importance for the local people. Everyday close to 100,000 vehicles use the pathway to commute between the twin cities and an estimated 150,000 pedestrians walk over it to cross the Hooghly River, making it one of the world’s busiest suspended Cantilever Bridges.
And believe it or not the first vehicle to ever cross the bridge at the time of its opening in 1943 was not a car or a bus or a bullock-cart as one would expect, it was a tram! Kolkata’s residents have used trams as a popular mode of public transport since 1903, but authorities restricted them from using the Howrah Bridge route in 1993 due to their heavy load.
Speciality of Howrah Bridge:
Howrah Bridge is the sixth largest Cantilever Bridge in the world spanning over Hooghli River over a length of 705 meters and has a width of 71 feet, excluding the 14 foot footpaths for pedestrians on either side of the bridge. Two engineering techniques make the Howrah Bridge very special. First, engineers designed it as a Cantilever Suspension Bridge, which uses cantilevers projected horizontally into space with support from only one end! Second, there’s no use of nuts and bolts in the construction of this massive steel structure; you will only find the use of rivets for joining the metals that make up for the entire bridge.
Howrah Bridge History:
The Howrah Bridge replaced an existing Pontoon Bridge that connected the twin cities of Howrah and Kolkata. The construction of this engineering marvel took six years, beginning in 1936 and completing in 1942. Mr. Walton of M/S Rendell, Palmer, and Tritton designed the bridge.
In 1935, a global tender was placed for the bridge’s construction, based on Walton’s report. A German company submitted the lowest bid. However, due to political tensions between Germany and India, the contract was not awarded to the German company. Instead, Braithwaite, Burn & Jessop Construction Company, an Indian company, received the contract.
In 1939, the order for construction was placed with M/S Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company. The bridge was opened to the public on 3rd February 1943, after completion.
Also read: Things to do in Kolkata at Night
An honor to Rabindranath Tagore:
Another amazing fact about the bridge is that authorities rechristened it as Rabindra Setu on June 14th, 1965, to honor West Bengal’s iconic poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Although the people of Bengal take great pride in their history and culture, despite the rechristening of the bridge in the name of their most-loved poet, denizens of Bengal still identify the bridge with its old name-Howrah Bridge!
What went into the making of Howrah Bridge?
Tons of steel and years of hard work and labor went into the making of this gigantic steel structure. Reports estimate that 26,500 tons of hard steel were used in its construction. The iconic Indian conglomerate Tata Steel supplied 23,500 tons of high-tensile alloy steel, while the rest was imported from England.
Role of Kolkata Port Trust:
The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) is responsible for the periodic maintenance of the iconic Howrah Bridge and ensures it is protected against corrosion caused by rain and bird droppings. According to sources, KoPT incurs an average annual expense of 500,000 lakh Indian Rupees for its maintenance. Recently, KoPT spent a whopping 6.5 million Indian Rupees to repaint the entire Howrah Bridge with 26,500 liters of paint.
Best time to Visit Kolkata
The best time for sightseeing Kolkata and its many landmark attractions, including the iconic Howrah Bridge is during the months of October to February when the weather is pleasant and there are a lot of festivities happening. Now that you have got a good insight on the significance and the lesser-known facts about Howrah Bridge, you must take a travel plunge to Kolkata to see it with your own eyes! Get your cheap flights to Kolkata booked on Indian Eagle.
Frequently Asked Questions :
What is the 2nd name of Howrah Bridge?
The second name of Howrah Bridge is Rabindra Setu, named after the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. This official name was given in 1965 to honor his legacy.
What is the Speciality Howrah Bridge?
The speciality of Howrah Bridge lies in its unique cantilever design, constructed without using nuts or bolts. It’s an iconic symbol of Kolkata, known for its strength, durability, and ability to handle massive daily traffic.
How many pillars are in Howrah Bridge?
Interestingly, it has zero pillars. Howrah bridge is famous for being a bridge without pillars. It is a great example of engineering and is the second longest cantilever bridge.
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