Howrah Bridge

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The bridge contains no nuts or bolts; its entire assembly is held together by rivets.

2. 2

   During World War II, the bridge was constructed to facilitate the movement of troops and supplies.

3. 3

   The bridge was renamed Rabindra Setu in 1965 to honor the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

4. 4

   It is built on two 270-foot-high pylons that support the massive steel cantilever structure.

5. 5

   The bridge is designed to withstand high-velocity winds and the turbulent tidal currents of the Hooghly River.

6. 6

   It was originally commissioned to replace a pontoon bridge that had to be opened manually to allow river traffic to pass.

7. 7

   The steel used for construction was primarily supplied by the Tata Iron and Steel Company.

Overview

Howrah Bridge is a 705-meter cantilever bridge spanning the Hooghly River in West Bengal, officially named Rabindra Setu. Completed in 1943, it connects the city of Kolkata with the Howrah railway station. The structure is constructed entirely of steel without the use of nuts or bolts, relying instead on a system of rivets. It serves as a vital arterial route for over 100,000 vehicles and countless pedestrians daily. The bridge is a suspended-span cantilever design with a central span of 457 meters. It remains one of the busiest cantilever bridges in the world by traffic volume. The structure is maintained by the Kolkata Port Trust.

Insider tips

• View the bridge from the river bank at sunset to observe the illuminated silhouette against the water.

• Avoid the peak morning and evening rush hours when the bridge experiences extreme congestion.

• Pedestrian walkways are available on both sides, but remain alert due to heavy foot traffic.