ABSTRACT
There are other matters of interest connected with Howrah Bridge. The bridge became the icon of Calcutta against contestants such as Victoria Memorial or Vidyasagar Setu perhaps because of the dark and turbulent times in which it was built or the pride it gave to the country as one of the largest in the world of its kind but built by its own materials and skill.
With its large carriageway, wide footpaths and tram tracks, the bridge provided a sudden relief to transportation, as the pontoon bridge had long become incapable of handling the vast traffic in pedestrians and goods.
The bridge had many firsts viz. multi-chamber caissons as the foundations, use of pneumatic sinking in India, use of high tensile steel and pre-stressing of steelwork.
There was an immense boost to steel construction industry. The Indian materials and skills that built the bridge had been tested against the world’s best and found as good. All major bridges have subsequently been built without foreign assistance.
Let us conclude, wishing a healthy long life to this monument, to the outstanding work of the designers, the construction firms, and the skill, dedication and unremitting toil of all the workmen.
