howrah bridge over a waterbody with light in the background - Polo Floatel Kolkata

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The Iconic History of Howrah Bridge

There are several landmarks that contribute to the charm of The City of Joy. The Howrah Bridge is one such architectural grandeur that is the pride of Kolkata. Its inception dates back to historic milestones, like World War II. Its construction was first suggested in 1862. According to the Bengali government, the idea behind creating the bridge was to cross the Hooghly River. They invited the East India Railway Company's Chief Engineer to research the idea's viability and developed a proposal. But his suggestion was never implemented for a number of reasons.

The Howrah Bridge is regarded as the busiest cantilever bridge in the entire world. Every day, it can accommodate more than 150,000 pedestrians and roughly 100,000 automobiles.

Howrah Bridge’s Architecture

The Howrah Bridge was designed by the creative minds of two men, Mr. Walton of M/s Rendel, Palmer & Triton. Additionally, The Braithwaite Burn and Jessop Construction Limited Company led to the plan behind the making of the Bridge. This stunning building's construction began in 1936. and finished in 1942. It was inaugurated on February 3rd, 1943.

The Howrah Bridge's pillars each measure 468 feet in length. The whole steel construction of the Howrah Bridge was built using rivets instead of nuts and bolts. This iconic feature makes it stand out from every other bridge in the country.

Between Howrah and Kolkata, a pontoon bridge, often known as a floating bridge, was constructed in the 1800s. However, it was not robust enough to manage the heavy traffic between the two cities or to withstand the region's frequent storms. Bengal’s government kept looking for alternatives, and eventually, after several decades, the new bridge was put into operation. Its construction was contracted out to The Braithwaite Burn and Jessop Construction Company.

view of howrah bridge at night - polo floatel kolkata

Interesting Facts About Howrah Bridge

The brilliance of the Howrah Bridge has led to it being featured in a number of poems and pop culture. Its ubiquitous influence on the city and the country is strong, and many come to stay at Polo Floatel Kolkata to get a closer glimpse of it. The city’s only floating hotel, leisure guests prefer to plan a sojourn at Floatel, which floats on the mesmerising River Hooghly that runs beneath the colossal Howrah Bridge.

The Howrah Bridge has survived the ravages of the epic World War II. The construction of the bridge was done while keeping in mind the Japanese attacks. The government wanted to build a bridge that can withstand attacks and nuclear wars.

So, if you are planning a visit to the city, do not miss out on exploring the mammoth Howrah Bridge!