Howrah Bridge Kolkata

Howrah Bridge Kolkata

Howrah Bridge, Kolkata (now Rabindra Setu) is one of the best cantilever bridges in the world and a praiseworthy architecture also, which has always been attracting tourists over the world for its historical value also. Architectural significance of Howrah Bridge, Kolkata can fade away its glory in this modern time only because of its close association with history. It has been the emblem of Kolkata as well as West Bengal over the decades.Location:On the River Hoogly, between Kolkata and Howrah.

Howrah Bridge, Kolkata connects Kolkata western bank and Howrah eastern bank. Just beside Howrah Railway Station.History of Howrah Bridge:The end of the 17th Century Kolkata realized a big communication problem with Howrah which is on the other bank of River Ganga. Kolkata was then comprises with three villages - Kolkata, Sutanati & Gobindapur. On the western bank, Howrah was emerging up as a bustling site of commerce.While Kolkata, from a small sleeping hamlet of artisans and mercantile community eventually developed, as a commercial hub of a modern metropolitan city, Howrah (virtually the store house of raw material resources) became its industrial satellite. Sir Bradford Leslie's famous floating pontoon bridge, the earlier structure of the modern Howrah Bridge, was initially set up in 1874, almost coinciding with the establishment of the port of Calcutta in 1870. That wooden structure was remodeled and was completed in 1942 and was opened for public use in February, 1943. It consumed 26,500 tons of steel, cost was Rs.250 lakhs and steel now it is the fourth Cantilever Bridge in the world.

The custodian of the bridge is Kolkata Port Trust and they take care of the bridge. In 1965 the new name Rabindra Setu was given by the honor of Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore.Bridge Detail:Bridge type : Suspension type Balanced Cantilever Central span 1500 ft between centers of main towers Suspended span 564ft Anchor arm 325ft each Cantilever arm 468ft each Main towers are 280ft high above the monoliths and 76 ft apart at the top Bridge deck width 71 ft with two footpaths of 15 ft either side Significance:The city is directly associated with the life and works of Nobel laureates viz. Rabindranath Tagore (1913), Dr. C.V. Raman (1930), Mother Teresa (1979) and Prof. Dr. Amartya Sen (1998).

So during your Kolkata Tour you can't miss the opportunity to witness such a precious spot. It happens to be one of the busiest bridges of the world presently giving Kolkata 24 hour's service everyday.

Getting to Howrah Bridge: Howrah Bridge is beside the Howrah Railway Station and you can avail a taxi from any part of Kolkata to reach here. Or Bus Service is also available; you have to take the buses towards Howrah. From Dumdum Airport you will get both the transport mentioned above and. It will be best if you can reach there in evening to catch the best view of its wonderful illumination which has been done very recently to enrich its beauty with ornaments.

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