27/07/2025
lThe Howrah Bridge, fondly called Rabindra Setu after poet Rabindranath Tagore, wasn’t born overnight. Back in the 19th century, Kolkata (then Calcutta) and Howrah were bustling hubs, but a shaky pontoon bridge from 1874 couldn’t handle the growing traffic or stormy weather. In 1862, the British proposed a sturdier bridge, but it took decades of debate and planning. Finally, in 1936, construction began under the brilliant minds at Rendel, Palmer, and Tritton, with India’s own Braithwaite, Burn & Jessop Construction Company bringing it to life.
World War II made this no easy feat. With Japan’s attacks looming—Kolkata was bombed in 1942—the British rushed construction, fearing the bridge could be a target. Gas balloons were even floated to confuse enemy planes! Tata Steel stepped up, supplying 23,000 tons of high-tensile steel (called Tiscrom) when England could only provide 3,000 tons due to wartime shortages. Built without a single nut or bolt, the bridge’s riveted, cantilever design was a global marvel, stretching 705 meters with a 457-meter central span. On February 3, 1943, it quietly opened with a lone tram crossing—no grand ceremony, just a symbol of grit.
Sinking the bridge’s massive caissons (foundation pillars) was an adventure itself. Workers dug through river muck, unearthing East India Company coins, cannons, and anchors. One night, a caisson plunged, shaking the ground so hard it registered as an earthquake and destroyed a nearby temple (later rebuilt). Yet, the bridge stood strong, becoming the world’s third-longest cantilever bridge at the time, now sixth.
Today, it’s the busiest cantilever bridge globally, carrying 100,000 vehicles and over 150,000 pedestrians daily. It’s more than steel—it’s Kolkata’s heartbeat, linking Howrah Station to the city and inspiring poets, filmmakers, and lovers like us. From the vibrant Mullick Ghat Flower Market beneath to its glowing silhouette at night, it’s a canvas of life and love.
Early Beginnings (19th Century):
The need for a bridge across the Hooghly River emerged in the mid-19th century as Kolkata grew into a major commercial hub and Howrah became an industrial center. A pontoon bridge, designed by Sir Bradford Leslie, was built in 1874 to connect the two cities. This floating bridge, 465.7 meters long and 19 meters wide, could be unfastened to allow ships to pass but struggled with heavy traffic and storms.
In 1862, the Bengal government tasked George Turnbull, Chief Engineer of the East India Railway Company, with studying the feasibility of a permanent bridge. Plans were repeatedly shelved due to cost and design issues until the Calcutta Port Trust was established in 1870, with the Howrah Bridge Act of 1871 authorizing construction.
Planning and Construction (1936–1943):
By the early 20th century, the pontoon bridge was inadequate for the booming traffic between Kolkata and Howrah, especially with Howrah Station becoming India’s largest railway hub by 1911. In 1935, the British approved a cantilever bridge designed by Rendel, Palmer, and Tritton. Construction began in 1936, led by the Braithwaite, Burn & Jessop Construction Company, an Indian firm.
The bridge required 26,500 tons of steel, with Tata Steel supplying 23,000 tons of high-tensile Tiscrom steel due to wartime import restrictions from England. Its riveted design, without nuts or bolts, was a pioneering feature, earning it the classification of a “suspension-type balanced cantilever” bridge.
Construction faced challenges, including World War II. Japan’s 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and subsequent bombings in Kolkata raised fears of attacks on the bridge, a key logistical link for Allied forces. Protective measures like gas balloons were used to obscure the site.
Sinking the caissons (foundation pillars) was a technical feat. The Kolkata-side caisson was set 31.41 meters below ground, the Howrah-side at 26.53 meters. A near-disaster occurred when a caisson plunged, causing an earthquake-like tremor and destroying a nearby temple. Artifacts like East India Company coins and cannons were unearthed during the process.
Opening and Legacy (1943–Present):
The bridge, originally called the New Howrah Bridge, opened on February 3, 1943, with a solitary tram crossing due to wartime constraints—no formal ceremony was held. It was renamed Rabindra Setu in 1965 to honor Rabindranath Tagore, but locals still call it Howrah Bridge.
Spanning 705 meters with a 457-meter central span and 21.6-meter width, it was the third-longest cantilever bridge globally in 1943, now sixth. It carries 8 lanes of traffic and two 7-foot pedestrian walkways, handling 100,000 vehicles and over 150,000 pedestrians daily, making it the world’s busiest cantilever bridge.
Its cultural impact is immense, featured in films by Satyajit Ray and books by authors like Amitav Ghosh. The nearby Mullick Ghat Flower Market and ferry rides offer stunning views, making it a photographer’s dream.
Maintenance is ongoing, with challenges like corrosion from bird droppings and to***co spit. In 2004, painting the bridge cost ₹6.5 million, using 26,500 liters of paint. A 2024 maintenance check, the first in 40 years, underscores its enduring importance.
