A masterpiece in the air

Various icons decorate Kolkata’s skyline. Some get etched in memories and some in photographs. Vidyasagar Setu or Second Howrah Bridge is one such beauty. It stretches itself on the River Hooghly or Ganges and stands as a symbol of pride for the people of the city as it’s hailed as one of the longest bridges in India. The bridge was named after Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, a Bengali reformist, philanthropist, and educationist. 

The bridge is not just a mere structural and functional piece aiding  in transportation. It is a glorious piece of architectural marvel that bridges the old and the new. As you walk, cycle, or zip past in your vehicle, over its silken roads, you can enjoy the views of Kolkata like a bird – beautiful and free. 

Keep this icon in your itinerary when you drop into Kolkata. The ride, the cool breeze, and the vistas of the horizon are an experience that is deeply soul-satisfying. The kinds that can’t be always etched in words. 

Sights worthy of applause

As you reach the mid of the bridge, suddenly Kolkata doesn’t seem like the bustling mayhem it is. The calm air, the brilliance of the Hooghly River, and the sunlight streaming down to light up the city paint a picture that’s worthy of being a masterpiece. Apart from being a visual relief from the usual brick-and-mortar scenario, this bridge also helps connect people, places, and communities on either side of it. Its engineering prowess blended in with the iconic cable-stayed design, is a mark of progress and innovation.

Zipping through the lanes of the past

After 1947, Kolkata became the city of dreams. Lots of people started flocking to it to find success and meaning in life. The steady influx of outsiders was beginning to stress the nerve center of the town  - Howrah Bridge as it was the only connection between the two. This is when it was decided to build another bridge that would act as a second route and relieve some of the tension of the Howrah Bridge. This decision led to the instating of the Vidyasagar Setu or Second Hooghly Bridge. Indira Gandhi was invited to lay the foundation stone in the year 1972, however, it took 22 years for the completion of the project. 

Timings

Opening time - 24 Hours

A strong foundation to claim a tall position

If you see Vidyasagar Bridge, it will look like a humble structure that is found in every city. But as the longest cable-stayed bridge in India, it is a grand feat that stands proudly decorating the city vista. If you think that’s a hallmark worth mentioning, let us also tell you that it’s not just in India but in the whole of Asia that Vidyasagar Setu is hailed as one of the longest bridges with a length of eight hundred and twenty-three meters. It is made up of steel pylons of one hundred and twenty-eight metres while one hundred and twenty-one cables have been used and arranged in a design of a fan. It also lavishly flaunts its thirty-five meters wide, three lane road in each direction along with 1.2 meters wide footpath on each side. The two side spans are supported by wire cables. The applause for building this giant edifice goes to Schlaich Bergermann & Partner which is a structural engineering and consulting firm founded in Germany. As a toll bridge, it can bear eighty-five thousand vehicles a day.

Spectators to a grand masterpiece

The ideal location of Vidyasagar Bridge makes it very convenient to just hop into the places of wonder around it. This part of the city has quite a few interesting monuments and places to visit. For instance, the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanical Garden which is in Shibpur is a serene, cool, green place that looks as inviting as it sounds. You can just roam around and marvel at trees that stand there for time immemorial. You can extend your nature walk to the Santragachi Jheel where tons of migratory birds come to escape their cold homelands. The best time to sit here and bird-watch is early morning or evening, especially during the winters. The Mullick Ghat Flower Market is also very close. This floral paradise will take your breath away with the colours, the designs, and the perfume. Prinsep Ghat, a favourite place for the locals is also very close. Resting by the side of Hooghly this place is perfect to enjoy sunrises and sunsets. And when all is done and dusted you can always stroll round and watch the city go by while some enjoy picnics and horse rides in the verdant lawn of The Maidan.

Vidyasagar Setu stands not just as a bridge of steel and concrete but as a testament to the vision, resilience, and progress of a vibrant city and its people. May its span forever symbolize the unity, connectivity, and aspirations of Kolkata, echoing the timeless legacy of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar for generations to come.