From decade old entanglements of roots to meticulously engineered structures of concrete and iron, there are several stunning bridges in India. We round up a few that are a must-visit. By Eshita Srinivas
Bridges in India offer lessons in space, time, and botany. Some are architectural marvels that have withstood the test of time while others have been crafted by mother nature herself. And while bridges might not be the focal point of most travel itineraries, they certainly do compel most everyone to whip out their phones for a quick Instagram story. If you’ve yet to be acquainted with the scores of stunning structures that connect the country, we’ve rounded up a few you should head to this summer.
Visit these stunning bridges in India on your next holiday
Kanoh Bridge, Himachal Pradesh
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Situated on the Kalka-Shimla line, this bridge traverses dense forests and verdant valleys and is known to be the highest arch gallery bridge over Indian Railways. The masonry at this station, put in place in the colonial era, features 34 arches and stands at 23 meters, having been around for over a century now.
Visitors at the gallery can take in the stunning sights of teak and pine trees, while also listening to the quiet gurgling of the stream down below. About four trains stop by here every day, while the rest whistle past. Reportedly, every time a train nears the station, the pointsman doubles up as a token porter. This bridge has a steep rise in altitude and has been accorded a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge, Meghalaya
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A town in Meghalaya that’s known for receiving over 10,000 millimeters of rain per year, Mawsrynram is the wettest place on earth. The weather at this destination allowed locals to train the roots of rubber trees to grow into natural bridges which are now a natural, sustainable alternative to man-made wooden structures. They also serve as a reliable way to cross rivers.
As the roots grow further, the bridges get stronger. Several of these roots can be found across town, but one of the oldest is the Umshiang double-decker root bridge which overlooks the Umshiang river and can be accessed through an arduous trek.
Shahi Bridge, Uttar Pradesh
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Built by an Afghan architect in 1564 on the orders of king Akbar, this bridge is quite unique. The width of the structure is 26 feet, with wide kerfs on both sides. Featured here is a carriageway on the ground level with pillboxes at each junction. In the past, the latter hosted shops. Today, they’re frequented by locals and tourists alike, as the lot take in the architecture of the bridge and gaze at the river Gomti flowing below. Spot the large sculpture of a lion with an elephant under its forepaws while here.
Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Maharashtra
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You haven’t experienced Mumbai until you’ve driven past the glittering silver cables of this iconic bridge at night. Perched atop the Arabian Sea, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is a 5.6 kilometre bridge that is believed to be one of the country’s longest over water. The bridge shortens the travel time between Bandra and Worli to about 30 minutes from the usual 90 and has been around for over a decade. Don’t forget to catch the sunset here if you happen to visit.
Howrah Bridge, West Bengal
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Another iconic bridge that’s featured prominently in Indian pop culture over the years, the Rabindra Setu connects Kolkata to Howrah and is maintained by the Kolkata Port Trust. The structure has survived the test of time, standing in all its glory for over 76 years without any pillars supporting its suspension over the Hooghly river. It has also witnessed World War II.
Howrah bridge is 705 metres long and features eight lanes, serving over 2,00,000 vehicles and 15,00,000 pedestrians every day. In 1965, it was formally renamed as Rabindra Setu (After the revered poet Rabindranath Tagore) bridge, however the name Howrah continues to be popularly associated with this bridge. This also happens to be one of the longest suspended span cantilever bridges in the world.
Bogibeel Bridge, Arunachal Pradesh
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Launched in 2018 as Asia’s longest rail-road bridge, the Bogibeel bridge cuts travel time between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh by 10 hours. That’s not all, it can also accommodate the landing of fighter jets, should the emergency arise.
Bogibeel Bridge is a 4.9 kilometer link over the Brahmaputra River connecting the banks of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It was inaugurated in 2018 as Asia’s second longest rail-cum-road bridge, but that is not its only point of pride. The bridge cuts travel time between the two states by 10 hours, and can also take the landing of fighter jets in case of emergencies.
Pamban Bridge, Tamil Nadu
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Believed to be one of the first sea bridges in India, Pamban bridge connects Mandapam to Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. The structure stands on 143 piers reportedly, and is over a century old. It’s got a double-leaf bascule section midway which can be lifted to allow ships and large structures to pass through. The length of the bridge is about 2. 2 kilometres and In the past it has withstood a cyclone as well.
Vembanad Bridge, Kerala
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The longest rail bridge in India, Vembanad Bridge, passes through stunning backwaters and small picturesque islands of “god’s own country.” 4.62 kilometres in length, the bridge connects Edappally and Vallarpadam and sees over 11700 tonnes of reinforced steel and 58,000 tonnes of cement went into its construction. Built of 11700 tonnes of reinforced steel and 58000 tonnes of cement, the bridge sees a daily traffic of 15 trains. Pop by for a leisurely drive and some sightseeing.
