Where Is Howrah Bridge Located?
The Howrah Bridge is a historic suspension bridge in Kolkata that is also known as
the Rabindra Setu. Being one of the longest cantilever bridges, the bridge spans the Hooghly river. It is located around six kilometers away from the Kolkata Railway Station. Also, the bridge connects Kolkata with the nearest industrial city of Howrah and is a famous landmark in Kolkata.
History of Howrah Bridge
Being an iconic landmark in Kolkata, the Howrah Bridge is famous all across the world. The Howrah Bridge was suggested for the first time in 1862 by the Bengal government. It was his desire to construct a bridge across the Hooghly River.
The government managed to invite the East India Railway Company's Chief Engineer to research the feasibility of the notion and submit a proposal. His concept, however, never came to fruition because of multiple reasons.
Later in the 1800s, a floating bridge was constructed that was not strong enough to survive the traffic and weather conditions. So the Bengal government started to look for other possibilities and then the bridge came into commission.
The project was handed over to a company namely The Braithwaite Burn and Jessop construction company. These two companies came up with innovative ideas to construct the bridge uniquely without using nuts and bolts. Hence, they became successful and the Howrah bridge was officially inaugurated in the year of 1943.
Why is HBridge (Howrah Bridge) Famous?
HBridge or Howrah Bridge is an architectural marvel that has no support supporting its suspensions over the Hooghly river.
The main reason why it is so famous is that it is the oldest hanging bridge with no pillars. Also the sixth-longest bridge in the whole world.
Where Is Howrah Bridge Located?
The famous Howrah Bridge is located in West Bengal, Kolkata across the Hooghly river. To be precise, it is closely located at the Howrah or Kolkata Railway station.
Who Constructed Howrah Bridge?
It was the desire of the West Bengal Government to build the bridge. But despite several attempts, the plan seemed to fail. Later in the late 1800's the need for having a bridge across the Hooghly river was clear.
So the Bengal Government handed over the project of constructing the Howrah Bridge to a famous company called The Braithwaite Burn and Jessop construction company.
Its design was done by Mr Walton of M/s Rendel, Palmer and Triton. Although to let you know, the construction began in the year of 1936 and ended by the year of 1942.
What is the Other Name of Howrah Bridge?
Though the bridge is still popularly known as the Howrah Bridge. It was renamed on 14th June in the year 1965 Rabindra Setu. The name was given after the great poet of Bengal Rabindranath Tagore who was India's first and Asian Noble laureate.
What Is The Total Length Of The Howrah Bridge?
The Howrah Bridge spreads about 1500 feet over the Hooghly river and is 71 feet wide. By the time it was constructed, it was categorized among the third longest cantilever bridges. Today, the bridge is the sixth longest of its own kind in the whole world.
Some Secrets Of Howrah Bridge
No use of nuts and bolts
You would be amazed to know that there was no use of a single nut or bolt while constructing the Howrah bridge.
Witnessed the second world war
As been there over several decades, the Howrah bridge has witnessed the second world war as well.
Daily Traffic
It carries around 100,000 automobiles and perhaps more than 150,000 pedestrians on a daily basis. This makes the Bridge one of the world's busiest cantilever bridges today.
Lesser Known Facts About Howrah Bridge
#1: Oldest Hanging Bridge
It is one of the oldest hanging bridges in the whole world that has no supporting pillars.
#2: Renamed after Rabindranath Tagore
Even though you might still call it the Howrah Bridge. Originally it was renamed Rabindra Setu on 14th June 1965 after Bengal's famous poet Rabindranath Tagore.
On Which River Is Howrah Bridge Situated?
The Howrah bridge is situated over the famous Hooghly river. This river is referred to as the arm of the Ganges in the Encyclopedia Britannica and is also considered to be holy among the Hindus.
