Howrah Bridge

10 amazing facts to know about Howrah Bridge- a wonderful creation of human engineering

One of the wonders in Kolkata, Howrah Bridge is a gigantic steel bridge constructed over the Hooghly River. Also known as Rabindra Setu, it connects Howrah and Kolkata. The magnificence of the bridge, though, comes active in the night time as it is all lit up. You can also take a ship ride as it runs between Kolkata and Howrah, from the launch Ghat. The sight of the city from the ferryboat, especially in the night, is inestimable, to say.

Things to do in Kolkata

Endearingly known as the City of Joy, Kolkata has managed to retain the vintage charm and old-world charisma through the years and still emerged as one of the most developed cities of the country. There are several places to visit and innumerable things to do in Kolkata. From the

1. Historic Fort William,

2. To the Science City,

3. The Museums and

4. Boating in the Princep Ghat,

There are myriad exciting things to do in Kolkata. Ride the graceful trams, or shop in the local markets or taste the local cuisines. You also have an option to visit the very famous Sundarbans.

History of Howrah Bridge

Although construction of the Howrah Bridge only started in the 20th century, the origins of the structure can be traced back to 1871. This was when the Government of Bengal took the first decisive steps to construct a permanent crossing, with the passage of the Howrah Bridge Act. The act was amended in 1935 to facilitate the construction of the new structure. Construction of Howrah Bridge took 6 years, starting in 1936. The bridge on the records opened in 1943. Then it was the world’s third-longest cantilever bridge.

Best time to Visit:

Visiting Kolkata, Howrah Bridge in autumn and winter months between October and February would be the best time. The weather is impeccable and festivities are aplenty during this period. This is the season that witnesses the peak arrival of travelers, especially during Durga Puja.

Interesting facts about Howrah Bridge, Kolkata

1. Howrah Bridge was the third-longest cantilever bridge at the time of its construction,

2. Now it is the sixth-longest one of its types.

3. It was renamed Rabindra Setu on June 14, 1965, after the name of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

4. It spreads about 1500 ft over the Hooghly River and is 71 ft wide.

5. There is a total of 8 lanes of strand road, bicycles, and pedestrians.

6. What makes this bridge unique is the fact that it was built without a single nut or bolt and is held together by rivets.

7. It is one of the world’s busiest cantilever bridge as it carries a daily traffic of over 100,000 vehicles and countless pedestrians.

8. When illuminated at night it looks like a long necklace.

9. The popularity of this bridge is such that in the era on the 90s a movie was created by this name.

10. The history of Howrah Bridge is a part of the Tata legacy, as it supplied 23,000 tons of steel to this project.

Whether you stay in Kolkata or just visiting for the first time, these shocking facts could give you a greater appreciation of this ace creation of human engineering.

Tourists attractions other than Howrah bridge in Kolkata

1. Salt Lake City: This is a planned satellite township in Kolkata known for its stadium capable to host many international sporting events.

2. College Street: it is one of the most acknowledged places in Kolkata as it has several famous colleges such as Presidency College, Calcutta Medical College and much more.

3. Birla Planetarium: This is one of the largest planetariums in the world.

4. Millennium Park is situated on the eastern side of River Hooghly and comprises of landscaped gardens and amusement parks.

5. Alipore Zoological Gardens: India's ancient zoological park and is a great tourist attraction in Kolkata.

6. Victoria memorial: This huge white marble building that resembles the Taj Mahal to some extent was named to commemorate Queen Victoria.

7. Indian Museum: This is the biggest and oldest museum of India, containing six sections for Art, Geology, Archaeology, Zoology, Economic Botany and Anthropology.

8. Eden Gardens: this is the historical cricket ground of Kolkata.

9. Science City - This is the biggest science hub of India, planned by the National Council of Science Museums.

10. Eco-Tourism Park: it is famous for its amazing features, like Amphitheatre, Chinese Garden, Butterfly Garden, Bonsai garden, Cactus Walk, Bamboo Garden, Children's play corner, Water garden, Mist house, and Utility corner.

Tips for Visiting:

• Search online for various tour planner

• Put your demands in front of them

• Ask for a customized packaging

• Compare prices of every package to Kolkata

• Join only a reliable tour and travel operators

• Read the reviews of a Kolkata tour package before finalizing.