Day 10 , Datdun Village, West Bengal smile emoticon
.jpg)
Today the Howrah Bridge, renamed Rabindra Setu, is still the main thoroughfare for vehicles crossing over to the twin city of Howrah and other destinations across the country. The rapid increase in vehicular traffic over the last five decades have made the bridge bear a burden many times its original capacity.
The construction of the second Hooghly bridge further downstream has somewhat lessened its load, but still the amount of traffic flowing to and fro is more than what it should ideally be. As such, the condition of this bridge is far from satisfactory. Traffic congestion during the peak hours, gaping holes on the road, the approach on both the banks and the sidewalk encroached by vagrants and hawkers are frequent occurences.
While the bridge cannot be closed totally and maintained as a heritage landmark, strict regulation of traffic and maintenance works should be given top priority. Alternate means of transport like the ferry services could be increased and bulk of the vehicular traffic re-directed to the new bridge, Vidyasagar Setu. It is to be noted that although the second bridge is fully open to traffic now, most people prefer to drive across the Howrah Bridge because Howrah station is practically just at the other end of the bridge. Moreover, the roads connecting the railway station to the new bridge is not at all suited for speedy communication. Unless the condition of this stretch of road is improved, traffic authorities will find it difficult to persuade drivers of public transport to change their routes and make a detour to reach the station.
Mission Part 1 Completed smile emoticon like emoticon
Calcutta / Kolkata.
Calcutta / Kolkata.
At the Vidyasagar Setu, the second Hooghly Bridge
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The work for the original Howrah bridge (Rabindra Setu) had started in the year 1935. Built across the Hooghly river, it was opened to the public in the year 1943 on February 3rd.
It was built to link Kolkata to the industrial town of Howrah.
Howrah bridge
picture source itimes.
picture source itimes.
The construction of the second Hooghly bridge further downstream has somewhat lessened its load, but still the amount of traffic flowing to and fro is more than what it should ideally be. As such, the condition of this bridge is far from satisfactory. Traffic congestion during the peak hours, gaping holes on the road, the approach on both the banks and the sidewalk encroached by vagrants and hawkers are frequent occurences.
While the bridge cannot be closed totally and maintained as a heritage landmark, strict regulation of traffic and maintenance works should be given top priority. Alternate means of transport like the ferry services could be increased and bulk of the vehicular traffic re-directed to the new bridge, Vidyasagar Setu. It is to be noted that although the second bridge is fully open to traffic now, most people prefer to drive across the Howrah Bridge because Howrah station is practically just at the other end of the bridge. Moreover, the roads connecting the railway station to the new bridge is not at all suited for speedy communication. Unless the condition of this stretch of road is improved, traffic authorities will find it difficult to persuade drivers of public transport to change their routes and make a detour to reach the station.
An old picture of the old Howrah bridge.
Then, it was a 'pontoon' bridge. A bridge held up by boats.
Then, it was a 'pontoon' bridge. A bridge held up by boats.
source: Kolkata information.com
No comments:
Post a Comment