Howrah Bridge, officially Rabindra Setu, is a steel cantilever bridge over the Hooghly river that links Howrah and Kolkata. It was opened in 1943 and replaced an older floating bridge. It is known for carrying huge daily traffic and for being built without nuts and bolts, using rivets.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | Rabindra Setu (renamed in 1965) |
| Location | Over the Hooghly river, between Howrah and Kolkata |
| Type | Cantilever bridge, steel |
| Length | About 705 metres (main span about 457 metres) |
| Opened | 1943 |
| Earlier crossing | Pontoon (floating) bridge from 1874 |
Why was a new bridge needed?
Howrah is where the main railway terminus of Eastern India stands, while Kolkata was the commercial centre. For a long time, people crossed the Hooghly by boat. In 1874 a floating pontoon bridge was opened, designed by Sir Bradford Leslie, with a section that could be opened for ships to pass. As traffic grew, the pontoon bridge began to cause long delays and could not handle the load, so the need for a permanent bridge was clear by the early 20th century.
Planning and delays
The Calcutta Port authorities appointed a commission and a number of designs were considered. A plan for a bridge was approved in the early 20th century, but World War I and the economic situation delayed the work. A new commission was formed in 1922 and a design was finally chosen in the 1930s. Because the river is a busy waterway and the riverbed is soft, a bridge with piers in the water was considered a risk, so a cantilever design that kept the river clear was chosen. The design consultants were Rendel, Palmer and Tritton, and the contract was awarded to the Braithwaite, Burn and Jessop Construction Company of Calcutta.
How was it built?
Construction began in the 1930s and took several years. The main span is held by two huge towers on each bank, known as anchor and cantilever arms, which reach out and meet in the middle. The two main piers sit on large caissons sunk deep into the river bed. The bridge was assembled from steel parts that were joined by rivets, not by bolts or nuts, which is the fact most often quoted about it.
A large share of the steel came from Tata Steel in Jamshedpur, an often quoted figure being about 23,000 tonnes of high-tensile steel, with the total quantity of steel in the bridge given as around 26,000 tonnes in various sources. Because sources differ on these exact numbers, treat them as approximate.
The opening in 1943
The bridge was ready around 1942 and opened to traffic in February 1943. World War II was underway, and there was a fear of Japanese air raids on Calcutta, so no grand opening ceremony took place. The first vehicle across is said to have been a tram, though accounts of that detail vary. The bridge was originally named the New Howrah Bridge, to distinguish it from the earlier floating one.
Why was it renamed Rabindra Setu?
In 1965 the bridge was renamed Rabindra Setu in honour of Rabindranath Tagore, the first Asian Nobel laureate in literature. Most people still call it Howrah Bridge.
Facts that people love to quote
- It was built as one of the longest cantilever bridges in the world at the time of opening
- It has no pillars in the river, the span is held by the two towers
- It is said to carry among the heaviest daily traffic of any bridge of its kind, with lakhs of pedestrians and vehicles crossing daily, though exact counts vary by year
- Trams once ran across it, but tram service on the bridge stopped later
Maintenance and challenges
A bridge this old and used this heavily needs constant care. It is regularly painted, and there have been inspections, repairs and traffic regulations to limit load. Over time, vehicles have been restricted, and heavy goods vehicles are controlled. Corrosion has been a concern, and reports have also pointed to damage from paan and tobacco spitting on steel parts at the base of the bridge.
Seeing Howrah Bridge
The best views are from Prinsep Ghat, Babughat, Mullick Ghat or from a boat ride on the Hooghly. At dawn you can watch the Mullick Ghat flower market near its base, one of the biggest in Kolkata. Walking across is possible, but it is crowded and best done in daylight. Pedestrians, especially visitors, should take care of their belongings. Photography is generally tolerated, but check any current rules near security points.
The second bridge and the skyline
The Vidyasagar Setu, opened in the 1990s, is the second bridge across the river in this area. It is cable-stayed and was built to ease pressure on the older bridge. A number of other crossings now exist further up and down the river.
Howrah Bridge in culture
The bridge appears in many Hindi and Bengali films, including classic sequences from the 1950s and later, and the 1958 film ‘Howrah Bridge’ made its name familiar across India. It features in novels, songs and photographs of Kolkata. For many Bengalis, crossing the bridge is a daily experience, and for visitors arriving at Howrah station, it is the first sight of the city.
Travel tips
The area is very crowded during office hours, so avoid driving across at peak times. If you want photos, a morning light and the ghat area are best. Watch for traffic when crossing on foot.
Conclusion
Howrah Bridge is more than a crossing. It appears in films, novels and postcards, and it is the visual shorthand for Kolkata. Its story, from a floating bridge to a riveted steel giant opened in wartime, is a good example of how engineering and history are bound together.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When was Howrah Bridge built?
It was completed and opened to traffic in February 1943.
Why is Howrah Bridge called Rabindra Setu?
It was renamed in 1965 in honour of Rabindranath Tagore.
Is Howrah Bridge built without nuts and bolts?
Yes, it is held together by rivets rather than nuts and bolts.
How long is Howrah Bridge?
The total length is about 705 metres, and the main span is about 457 metres.
What was there before Howrah Bridge?
A floating pontoon bridge, opened in 1874, connected Howrah and Calcutta.
