Howrah Bridge

Howrah Bridge, officially Rabindra Setu, is a steel cantilever bridge spanning the Hooghly River between Howrah and Kolkata in West Bengal. Opened in 1943, it is one of the world's busiest cantilever bridges and an iconic symbol of Kolkata. Built without nuts and bolts using riveting, it measures about 705 metres long and carries daily vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Visitors can view the massive steel cantilever structure spanning the Hooghly River, observe heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and enjoy river views from the bridge footpaths or from ferries and viewpoints at Millennium Park and Prinsep Ghat. The bridge is illuminated at night. There is no visitor centre on the bridge itself; experience is primarily sightseeing and photography from the bridge, riverbanks, and boat rides.

Commissioned to replace a pontoon bridge, construction took place from 1936 to 1942 and the bridge opened on 3 February 1943. Designed by Rendel, Palmer and Tritton and constructed by Braithwaite, Burn & Jessop Construction Company, it was originally called the New Howrah Bridge. It was built during World War II using riveted steel without nuts and bolts and was the third-longest cantilever bridge in the world at the time. Renamed Rabindra Setu on 14 June 1965 in honour of poet Rabindranath Tagore.

Howrah Bridge is an enduring symbol of Kolkata and West Bengal, widely featured in films, literature and photography. It represents the engineering heritage of the city and serves as a vital daily link for commuters between Howrah and Kolkata, holding strong sentimental and civic identity for residents.