The Howrah Bridge, whose real name is the Rabindra Setu, is one of Kolkata's most famous sites and a reminder of the city's rich history. Here is a more in-depth look at this amazing piece of architecture:
Meaningful in terms of history
When the new Howrah Bridge opened on February 3, 1943, it took the place of the old moving pontoon bridge. It changed its name to Rabindra Setu in 1965 to honour the great Bengali artist Rabindranath Tagore.
Over the Hooghly River, the bridge was built to connect the cities of Howrah and Kolkata (then called Calcutta). This made it easier for people and things to move between the two cities.
A Work of Architecture
The Howrah Bridge is a cantilever bridge, which means that it is held up by buildings that stick out into space horizontally, with no vertical supports in the middle. This plan lets people and cars cross the river without any problems.
Over 100,000 cars and a huge number of people walk across this bridge every day, making it one of the busiest in the world.
It is about 705 metres (2,313 feet) long and stands 82 metres (269 feet) above the water. The bridge is a notable feature of Kolkata's skyline.
Engineering Prowess
Considering the difficult conditions of the Hooghly River, which has strong currents and changing tides, building the Howrah Bridge was an amazing work of engineering.
The bridge was made with more than 26,500 tonnes of high-tensile steel from Tata Steel (then known as Tata Iron and Steel Company). When it was built, it was one of the world's biggest steel buildings.
Icon in Culture
There are many important references to the Howrah Bridge in books, movies, and art that make it an important part of Kolkata's culture. A lot of Bollywood and Bengali movies have shown it, usually as a background for love or dramatic scenes.
Read More: Kolkata Airport to Howrah Cabs
When lit up with colourful lights at night, the bridge is especially beautiful, especially against the Hooghly River.
Sign of Connection
Aside from its physical construction, Howrah Bridge represents the link between Kolkata and Howrah, two busy cities that depend on each other for transportation, trade, and tourism.
The building represents Kolkata, a city that combines tradition and technology in a way that works well. It also serves as a reminder of how strong and lively the city is.
Howrah Bridge is more than just a bridge. It's a living reminder of Kolkata's long past, amazing architecture, and rich cultural heritage. It's still a proud reminder of the city's past, present, and future. It greets tourists with open arms and brings people of all ages together.
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