Bridges of India offer lessons in space, time and botany. Some are architectural marvels that have stood the test of time, while others were created by Mother Nature herself. And while bridges may not be the focal point of most travel itineraries, they certainly force most people to whip out their phones for a quick Instagram story. If you haven’t familiarized yourself with the dozens of impressive structures that connect the country yet, we’ve rounded up a few that you should head to this summer.
Visit these impressive bridges in India on your next vacation
Shahi Bridge, Uttar Pradesh
Built by an Afghan architect in 1564 by order of King Akbar, this bridge is unique. The width of the structure is 26 feet, with large cutouts on both sides. Shown here is a ground floor carriageway with forts at each intersection. The latter once housed shops. Today they are popular with both locals and tourists, as the lot embraces the architecture of the bridge and views of the Gomti River flowing below. See the large sculpture of a lion with an elephant under its front legs while you are here.
Howrah Bridge, West Bengal
Another iconic bridge that has featured prominently in Indian pop culture over the years, the Rabindra Setu connects Kolkata to Howrah and is operated by the Kolkata Port Trust. The structure has stood the test of time, standing in all its glory for over 76 years with no pillars to support its suspension over the Hooghly River. He also witnessed World War II.
Howrah Bridge is 705 meters long and has eight lanes, serving more than 200,000 vehicles and 15,000,000 pedestrians every day. In 1965 it was formally renamed Rabindra Setu Bridge (in honor of the revered poet Rabindranath Tagore), however the name Howrah is still popularly associated with this bridge. This is also one of the longest suspension cantilever bridges in the world.
Pamban Bridge, Tamil Nadu
Believed to be one of the first sea bridges in India, the Pamban Bridge connects Mandapam to Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. The structure reportedly stands on 143 pillars and is more than a century old. It has a tilting central section with double leaf that can be raised to allow the passage of ships and large structures. The length of the bridge is approximately 2.2 kilometers and has also withstood a cyclone in the past.
Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Maharashtra
You haven’t experienced Mumbai until you’ve passed the glittering silver cables of this iconic bridge at night. Perched high above the Arabian Sea, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is a 5.6 kilometer bridge believed to be one of the longest over water in the country. The bridge cuts the travel time between Bandra and Worli to around 30 minutes from the usual 90 and has been around for over a decade. Don’t forget to watch the sunset here if you visit.
Bogibeel Bridge, Arunachal Pradesh
Launched in 2018 as Asia’s longest road and rail bridge, the Bogibeel Bridge cuts travel time between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh by 10 hours. Not only that, it can also accommodate the landing of fighter planes, in case of emergency.
The Bogibeel Bridge is a 4.9 km link on the Brahmaputra River that connects the banks of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It opened in 2018 as Asia’s second longest road and rail bridge, but that’s not the only reason for pride. The bridge cuts travel times between the two states by 10 hours and may even allow fighter jets to land in an emergency.
Kanoh Bridge, Himachal Pradesh
Located on the Kalka-Shimla Line, this bridge spans dense forests and green valleys and is reputed to be the tallest arch bridge on Indian Railways. The masonry of this station, built in colonial times, has 34 arches and measures 23 meters, with more than a century of existence.
Visitors to the gallery can enjoy breathtaking views of teak and pine trees, while listening to the quiet gurgle of the creek below. About four trains pass through here every day, while the rest pass by whistling. Reportedly, whenever a train approaches the station, the switch becomes a symbolic doorman. This bridge has a large difference in height and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge, Meghalaya
A Meghalaya city known for receiving more than 10,000mm of rain per year, Mawsrynram is the wettest place on earth. The climate in this destination has allowed locals to train the roots of rubber trees to become natural bridges that are now a natural and sustainable alternative to man-made timber structures. They also serve as a reliable way to cross rivers.
As the roots lengthen, the bridges become stronger. Many of these roots are found throughout the city, but one of the oldest is the Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge, which overlooks the Umshiang River and is accessible via an arduous trek.
