Howrah Bridge, Kolkata

About Howrah Bridge

Howrah Bridge is a famous bridge located in Kolkata, West Bengal, this bridge is built over the Hooghly River. Its construction began in 1939 during the British Raj and was opened to the public in 1943.

Architecture of Howrah Bridge

The entire bridge was designed by Rendell, Palmer and Tritton. It is estimated that the amount of construction of this big bridge was Rs 333 crore. 26,500 tonnes of steel was consumed in making it, out of which 87 per cent steel was bought by 'Tata Steel Company'. This bridge is 2,313 feet long and 269 feet high. Its width is 71 feet, with two footpaths 15-15 feet wide on either side.

Interesting facts about Howrah Bridge

1. More than 1 lakh vehicles pass through Howrah Bridge everyday and 5 lakh pedestrians (more than that at present) walk on it.
2. This bridge, more than 2000 feet long, has only 2 pillars, between which the length is 1500 feet.
3. It is the only Bahudharan bridge of its kind in India.
4. Its length increases to about 3 feet in summer, because the metal (steel) melts and expands in high temperature.
5. It was repaired in early 2006, which consumed 8 tonnes of steel. 50 lakhs were spent in this whole process.
6. This is the best example of fine engineering because there is not a single nut-bolt in this large bridge, in which metals have been joined by welding process.
7. To paint this entire bridge, 26,500 liters of paint is consumed, in which about 65 lakh rupees are spent.
8. The Kolkata Port Trust is very upset with the filth on the Howrah Bridge by birds as it is causing chemical damage to the bridge. Therefore, the trust gives a contract of 5 lakhs every year to remove the filth of the birds from the bridge.
9. It is believed that there was a key to Howrah Bridge which the British Company did not give to India. In ancient times, this key used to open the bridge in two parts for large ships. But there is no proof of these things.

How to reach Howrah Bridge