Haora Bridge, also called Howrah Bridge, is a major bridge in northeastern India that carries road traffic and trams (streetcars) over the Hooghly River at Kolkata. It links the main part of Kolkata with the suburb of Haora on the western side of the river. It is also known as the Rabindra Setu.
The Haora Bridge was designed by British engineers. It was begun in 1936 and opened in 1943. It is a huge cantilever bridge using prestressed steelwork in its construction. The bridge is among the longest in the world. Its main span, at 1,500 feet (457 meters) long, is the longest of any cantilever bridge in India. Its total length, including its approaches, is 2,150 feet (655 meters). The Haora’s main span is supported by two enormous pillars, each 270 feet (82.3 meters) high. The Haora Bridge carries eight lanes of traffic, two tram tracks, and two pedestrian footpaths. The bridge may carry as many as 100,000 vehicles per day. In 1994, the Vidyasagar Setu bridge was built 11/4 miles (2 kilometers) downriver to ease the traffic problems on the Haora Bridge.
See also Bridge (Cantilever bridges) ; Kolkata .
