Nivedita Setu

Nivedita Setu (also called Second Vivekananda Setu) is a multi-span extradosed bridge completed 2007 over Hooghly River connecting Howrah with Kolkata, in West Bengal. It runs parallel to and about 50 m downstream of the old Vivekananda Setu opened in 1932. The bridge is named after Sister Nivedita, the social worker-disciple of Swami Vivekananda. Belghoria Expressway that connects the meeting point of NH 16 with NH 19 at Dankuni to NH 12, NH 112, Dumdum/Kolkata Airport and northern parts of Kolkata passes over the bridge. The bridge is designed to carry 48,000 vehicles per day.[1][2]

Nivedita Setu
Nivedita Setu, with Vivekananda Setu behind, from the Hooghly River
Coordinates22°39′08″N 88°21′12″E
CrossesHooghly River
LocaleBally-Dakshineswar, Kolkata
Characteristics
Total length880 metres (2,890 ft)
Width29 metres (95 ft)
No. of spans7
History
Construction startApril 2004
OpenedJuly 2007

Design
Twin bridges: 2007 Nivedita Setu (left) and 1932 Vivekananda Setu (right), from the Hooghly River

The 1932 Vivekananda Setu had become weak as a result of ageing and with heavy traffic even repairs became difficult. There was need for a second bridge.[2]

The main challenge was to design and construct a new bridge that did not mar the view of the old Vivekananda Setu, did not dwarf the historically important Dakshineswar Kali Temple which is located well within visible distance, and carry substantially higher levels of fast traffic for around half a century.[3]

The bridge rests on deep-well foundations going down to the river bed level. It carries six lanes for high speed traffic. The carriageway is supported by 254 pre-stressed concrete girders. Cables from 14m high pylons extend additional support.[3]

Nivedita Setu is the first bridge in the country that is a single profile cable-stayed bridge. By design, the height of the columns are lower than the tip of the Dakshineswar temple.[3]

Construction

This bridge is estimated to cost approximately Rs. 6,50 crore. The construction of the bridge started in April 2004, by the construction giant Larsen and Toubro and was opened to traffic in a record time in July 2007.

The bridge is the India's first multi-span, single-plane cable-supported extradosed bridge; with short pylons and seven continuous spans of 110 m, totaling a length of 880 m (2,887 feet). It is 29 m wide and supports 6 lanes of traffic.[2][3]

Award

Nivedita Setu has won an Award of Excellence from the American Segmental Bridge Institute, USA.[4]

Toll

As of 2020, the toll charges for using Nivedita Setu are:

See also

References
  1. "Second Ganga bridge running below capacity". Business Standard, 7 July 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  2. "Famous Bridges of India – Nivedita Setu". India Travel News. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  3. "Second Vivekananda Bridge is a technological wonder". Tarak Banerjee. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  4. "Nivedita Setu bags award". The Hindu Business Line, 31 July 2008. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  5. "The City Diary". The Telegraph, 4 July 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
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