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Vidyasagar Bridge Kolkata Address: Hooghly River, Munshi Prem Chand Sarani, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700021, India
Vidyasagar Bridge is more commonly known as the Second Hooghly Bridge built over the River Hooghly or Ganges. The bridge is the pride of the people in the city of Kolkata, India. It is considered to be one of the longest bridges in India.
Every resident in the city gleams in the mentioning of the Second Hooghly Bridge or Vidyasagar Bridge. It has been named after the revolutionary, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
History of Vidyasagar Bridge Kolkata
Following India’s independence in August 1947, the city witnessed a boost in the livelihood in Howrah and Kolkata. The Howrah Bridge was the only connection between the two and was beginning to be choked with traffic. The decision to build another bridge over the river was thus commissioned namely the Second Hooghly Bridge or Vidyasagar Bridge.
The foundation stone for the bridge was laid by Indira Gandhi on the 20th of May 1972 and culminated to about twenty-two years before the construction of the bridge was completed. The total expenditure that was required for the construction of the bridge was about Rs. 3.88 billion.
Architecture of Vidyasagar Bridge Kolkata
Vidyasagar Bridge is famed to be the longest cable-stayed bridge in India. It is also one of the longest in all of Asia with a length of eight hundred and twenty-three metres. It contains about one hundred and twenty-one cables arranged in the shape of a fan and is built with steel pylons of about one hundred and twenty-eight metres. The bridge is about thirty-five metres wide, three lanes in each direction with 1.2 metres wide footpath on each side.
The two side spans are supported by wire cables. It is a toll bridge that has the capacity of handling more than eighty-five thousand vehicles a day. Schlaich Bergermann & Partner is a structural engineering and consulting firm founded in Germany. They designed the construction of the bridge. Essential components of the bridge include lightning arresters, gas service support structures, lifts in the pylons, electric lines and telephones among others.
Image Gallery of Vidyasagar Bridge Kolkata
Places to visit near Vidyasagar Bridge Kolkata
Vidyasagar Bridge is located in a very prominent area that gives you ample places to visit in and around the bridge. These include:
1. Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanical Garden: Located in Shibpur, Howrah the garden is a serene place to visit amidst nature.
2. Santragachi Jheel: Home to hundreds of migratory birds, the best time to visit Santragachi Jheel is early mornings and evenings during winters.
3. Mullick Ghat Flower Market: The market opens early in the morning and is a floral paradise.
4. Prinsep Ghat: the ghat is located along the banks of the River Hooghly where you can experience a gorgeous sunset while gorging on delectable food by the river.
5. Maidan: Yards of green amidst a concrete jungle is ideal for picnics, relaxation and horse riding.
6. Avani Riverside Mall: A plush mall in Howrah, filled with memorable shopping, eating and fun activities for everyone.
Location and How to Reach Vidyasagar Bridge Kolkata
Vidyasagar Bridge is located in Kolkata, West Bengal over the River Hooghly. The bridge carries the NH17 which is called the Kona Expressway. It is an important toll bridge connecting Kolkata to several parts of West Bengal. There are several ways to get to the bridge:
Bus: Several local buses can take you to the Second Hooghly Bridge such as AC-41, AC-44, S-10, S-42, 6N, etc. from different corners of the city.
Train: You can also take a train to the Second Hooghly Bridge. The nearest station is Prinsep Ghat.
Tram: You could also try out Kolkata’s famous tramways. The nearest tram stop is Fort William.
Cab: The best way to experience crossing over the bridge is by car or cab.
Ferry: You can also avail ferry services, the nearest stops being Babughat, Howrah Station Ferry Ghat and Shibpur Ferry Ghat.
For a relaxed holiday experience, you can book a cab from top car rental companies in Kolkata and visit all the popular tourist attractions of Kolkata in the comfort of a private cab.
Vidyasagar Bridge is a worthwhile experience that you can never miss out on, especially at night, when the bridge lights up in beautiful colours. To be more environmental-friendly, plans of replacing the lights with LEDs are ongoing.
Amongst all the other places to visit in Kolkata, you cannot give this a miss. Witness a breath-taking view as you cross the bridge, overflowing waters, with soft ripples, a light breeze and the sun leaving behind sparkling, golden beauty. The best time to visit is during sunsets to witness nature at her best.
For those who wish to explore the best of Kolkata, make sure to book a tour package from Kolkata Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA. We offer Kolkata Tour packages at affordable rates and you can choose the package that suits you best and unravel the beauty of this marvellous city. Please fill the Contact Us form for more details.
