History of Howrah Bridge – India’s One and Only Cantilever Bridge
2.5 crore rupees were spent on the construction of the Howrah Bridge. Kolkata’s ‘Howrah Bridge’ is famous not only in India but all over the world. This historic bridge has also been a witness to the Second World War. During World War II, in December 1942, a Japanese bomb was dropped at some distance from this bridge.
Unique bridges like this bridge connecting Kolkata and Howrah are only a few in the world, For the last 75 years, this bridge has been the identity of Kolkata.
Why was ‘Howrah Bridge’ built?
In the last decades of the nineteenth century, the British Indian government planned to build a floating bridge over the Hooghly River that flows between Kolkata and Howrah. This is because in those days many ships used to come and go in Hooghly every day. By building a bridge with pillars, there should be no obstruction in the movement of ships. Therefore, in 1871, the Howrah Bridge Act was passed, but it took several decades for this plan to be implemented.
Finally, its construction work started in the year 1937 and in 1942 this bridge was completed. In 1943, it was opened for the use of the general public. On 4 February 1948, the view near Howrah bridge was worth seeing. During this, thousands of people had also gathered here to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.
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Why was it not inaugurated till today?
‘Howrah Bridge is the only bridge in the world that has not been inaugurated to date. Actually, when this bridge was completed, the Second World War was in full swing. Therefore, it was decided that there would be no fanfare on the occasion of its inauguration. While this historic bridge suffered bombings during World War II, it also witnessed the independence movement and the terrible famine of Bengal.
When this bridge connecting Kolkata and Howrah was completed, it was named ‘New Howrah Bridge. On June 14, 1965, it was named ‘Rabindra Setu’ in the name of Guru Rabindranath Tagore, but even today people know it as Howrah Bridge.
What is the specialty of this bridge?
The length of ‘The Howrah Bridge’ is 1528 feet while the width is 62 feet. It cost a total of 2.5 crore rupees to make it. 26.5 thousand tons of steel have been used to make this cantilever bridge. Out of this, 23.5 thousand tonnes of steel were supplied by Tata Steel. At that time it was the third-longest bridge of its kind in the world. This bridge rests on two legs, 280 feet high, built on both sides of the river.
This historic bridge has not only been the center of attraction for tourists from India and abroad but has also been the first choice of filmmakers like Satyajit Ray, Mani Ratnam, and Richard Attenborough. You must have seen this bridge in countless movies. In the year 1993, the traffic tram on the bridge was stopped after the traffic increased.
Howrah Bridge turns 76 in 2019
On February 3, 2018, this bridge completed its 75 years. On this occasion, it was decorated like a bride. On this special occasion, ‘Kolkata Port Trust, which took care of its maintenance, also published a coffee table book.
According to the Kolkata Port Trust, a tin shed will be built for lakhs of commuters walking on this bridge every day. For this, the help of professional architects will be taken so that the beauty of the bridge remains the same. Along with this, a plan is also proposed to decorate this bridge with the help of LED lights on historical and special occasions every year so that this bridge appears in a new color.
What is the secret of its strength?
During the Second World War, the Japanese army carried out heavy bombing to destroy this bridge. But incidentally, it did not cause any damage. Its specialty is that instead of nut bolts, nails made of metal have been used to connect steel plates in its construction.
About 1.25 lakh vehicles and more than five lakh pedestrians pass through this bridge daily. After the bridge was built, After the bridge was built, tram also passed on it.
The Port Trust had to deal with a strange problem during the year 2011. People had spoiled the pillars of this bridge by spitting betel leaves. For the past one and a half decades, this bridge has also been a victim of accidents and technical problems. In the year 2005, the mast of a cargo ship named MV Mani got stuck in its structure, causing severe damage to it.
Despite all these problems, ‘Howrah Bridge’ is still very popular among tourists.
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