Coal India signs MoU with Kolkata Port for dynamic lighting project, Howrah Bridge to become 'visual spectacle'

Coal India Ltd (CIL) on Tuesday, June 10, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) to support the 'dynamic illumination' of the iconic Howrah Bridge in West Bengal.

As per a PTI report quoting officials, the project aims to transform the over 80-year-old bridge into a dazzling visual spectacle using solar-powered lighting.

The dynamic illumination will depict the architectural marvel's structural brilliance and offer a unique night-time experience for thousands of daily commuters and visitors, the officials said.

The MoU was signed at the CIL headquarters, Coal Bhawan, in the presence of Chairman P M Prasad, alongside SMPK Chairman Rathendra Raman, Deputy Chairman Samrat Rahi and his team.

The project includes volumetric and skeleton lighting, as well as synchronised music shows, which will turn the bridge into a key symbol of Kolkata's culture and heritage.

“This project is a significant upgrade over the existing illumination, which has been in place for years. The tendering process is underway, and we expect completion within a year," Rahi said.

The Howrah Bridge, also known as Rabindra Setu, was built in 1943, connecting Howrah and Kolkata across the Hooghly River in West Bengal. While it was initially named the New Howrah Bridge, it was later renamed after Rabindranath Tagore in 1965 as Rabindra Setu.

Despite the bridge's age, it is still an important landmark in the metropolis. Today, the bridge sees over 1 lakh vehicles and 1.5 lakh pedestrians every day.