Kolkata: For the first time since its inauguration in 1943, Kolkata’s iconic Howrah Bridge, a symbol of the city’s architectural and cultural heritage, will close entirely to vehicular traffic for an overnight health assessment. The closure marks a critical milestone in the bridge’s 81-year history and comes as part of a comprehensive inspection being undertaken after four decades.
Details of the Closure and Inspection
- Timing of Closure: The bridge, renamed Rabindra Setu in 1965 to honor Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, will remain closed to all types of vehicles from 11:30 PM on Saturday to 4:30 AM on Sunday.
- Agency Involved: The inspection is being carried out by the Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Port (Kolkata Port Trust) in collaboration with Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES), a premier agency known for its technical expertise.
- Reason for Inspection: This is the first extensive structural audit since 1983, following a 2023 project where the bituminous layer on the bridge was scraped to reduce its load. Authorities aim to evaluate the impact of that project and assess the overall health of the structure.
Engineering Marvel Under Scrutiny
- Structural Highlights:
- The Howrah Bridge, a balanced steel cantilever design, spans the Hooghly River, connecting the bustling twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah.
- Constructed using 26,500 tonnes of high-tensile steel alloy from Tata Steel, the bridge stretches 705 meters in length and 71 feet in width, with two 15-foot-wide pedestrian pathways on either side.
- It holds the distinction of being the busiest cantilever bridge in the world, supporting over 100,000 vehicles and 150,000 pedestrians daily.
Impact on Traffic and Alternate Routes
The temporary closure of this vital lifeline will necessitate significant traffic rerouting:
- Towards Kolkata: Vehicles will be diverted via Vidyasagar Setu using the route RB Setu-Burn Standard More-Foreshore Road-Kazipara.
- From South and West Howrah to North Kolkata: Alternate routes include the Nibedita Setu (Bally Bridge) via HIT Bridge-Golabari Police Station-GT Road or Dobson Road-GT Road.
Significance of the Health Check-Up
This inspection is not just about maintaining infrastructure but ensuring safety for millions who rely on the bridge. RITES has been engaged in ongoing assessments since mid-2024, and experts emphasize that internal repairs are necessary to preserve the integrity of this engineering marvel.
