Weather :

Label : Top Attraction

Tags : Bridge

Time Required : 1-2 hours

Entry Fee : No entry fee

Built Over : Hooghly River

Official Name : Rabindra Setu

Length : 705 m

Height : 82 m

Width : 71 ft along with two footpaths of 4.6 m on either side

Functional Since : February 3, 1943

Planning a Trip? Ask Your Question

Also Refered As:

Rabindra Setu

Howrah Bridge, Kolkata Overview

An iconic landmark of Kolkata, Howrah Bridge is a massive steel bridge constructed over the Hooghly River. It is considered to be among the longest cantilever bridges in the world. Also known as Rabindra Setu, it connects Howrah and Kolkata. It carries daily traffic of over 100,000 vehicles and countless pedestrians and is as historic as it is grand. The opulence of the bridge, however, comes alive in the night time as it is all lit up. You can also take a ferry ride as it runs between Kolkata and Howrah, from the launch ghat. The view of the city from the ferry, especially in the night, is priceless, to say the least.

Howrah Bridge was the third-longest cantilever bridge at the time of its construction, but now it is the sixth-longest one of its types. It was renamed as Rabindra Setu on June 14, 1965, after the name of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. It spreads about 1500 ft over the Hooghly River and is 71 ft wide. There is a total of 8 lanes of strand road, bicycles, and pedestrians. What makes this bridge unique is the fact that it was built without a single nut or bolt and is held together by rivets.

Howrah Bridge Reviews

Your rating

Soumita Ghosh

on Howrah Bridge 6 years ago
This place is notorious for pickpockets and your wallet or phone can easily get stolen amidst the crowd. This place can get extremely crowded and there is generally traffic congestion, especially dur (Read More)ing office hours. Since Howrah Station is nearby, the place is well connected and there is no dearth of transportation system here. Fruit sellers are present at frequent intervals so you can purchase fruits if you want. Apart from this, there are several tea stalls which also sell lassi and snacks. To appreciate the beauty of this bridge, you can hire a boat and sail across the river and witness the beautiful architecture in all its glory.

Have a Question on Howrah Bridge?

Ask a question from the travellers who have
experience.