Vidyasagar Setu: The Second Hooghly Bridge of Kolkata

Vidyasagar Setu, Kolkata
Vidyasagar Setu: A Breath-taking View at Night
Vidyasagar Setu, Kolkata
A Breathtaking night view of the Vidyasagar Setu in Kolkata

Location: Kolkata, West Bengal

As soon as one thinks of Kolkata, the picture of a long bridge over the Hooghly River strikes the mind. If you would have tried imagining the same thing 20 years back, it would surely have been the Howrah Bridge that you must be thinking about. But today, it is the Vidyasagar Setu that glorifies the picture of Kolkata in our minds. Popularly known as the Second Hooghly Bridge, Vidyasagar Setu came to existence on 10th October, 1992. It was constructed to bridge the distance between Kolkata and Howrah.

Stretching across 823 meters in length, Vidyasagar Setu claims to be one of the longest bridges of its type in Asia. It is the second bridge to be constructed across the Hooghly River after the famous Howrah Bridge and draws its name from the educationist reformer Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. The hi-tech structure of the bridge took almost 22 years to be operational as a toll-bridge. Accommodating 9 lanes for smooth movement of traffic, the bridge has a capacity of handling 85,000 vehicles every day. It works on a 36 terminal computerized toll collection system.

The construction of this engineering marvel incurred a heavy cost of Rs. 388 crores. This magnificent bridge is no less than a tourist attraction in Kolkata witnessing thousands of visitors every year. A drive across the exotic lanes of Vidyasagar Setu provides a picturesque view of the Kolkata city. The best time to visit the bridge is during the dusk and the dawn when the entire bridge is emblazed with lights that sparkle in the eyes of the viewer.
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