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Howrah bridge illuminated

     Kolkata: Kolkata's famous Howrah bridge is on the on the world map. This is the first time that the bridge has been illuminated in the 63-year old history of the rebuilt bridge. Around 3.5 crore rupees was spent in the make-over. "It's just fantastic and fabulous. You can see how beautiful it looks with the lights on. This bridge is very important for Kolkattans and with it being lighted up it assumes much more significance," said Paromita Chakrabarty, a resident.

     Howrah Bridge, the lifeline between its twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah, would now join the league of Tower Bridge over River Thames in London and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The bridge is 97 meters high and 705 meters long and is believed to be amongst the busiest in the world. The two-part bridge was constructed in 1874, but underwent a reconstruction in 1937-1942, without any nuts and bolts and is considered to be an engineering marvel. An engineering marvel of its time, its two portions were unfastened everyday, particularly during night for steamers, boats and even small ships to pass through. The new bridge was inaugurated in 1942. There are eight lanes.
-Nov 24,  2006

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