Image Source: Rishabhchandan
About Godavari Bridge
The Godavari Bridge, also known as the Kovvur–Rajahmundry Bridge, is a prestigious road-cum-rail bridge spanning the Godavari River in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. Connecting East and West Godavari districts, it links the towns of Rajahmundry and Kovvur, serving as a vital transportation corridor for both rail and road traffic.
Recognized as India’s fourth longest road-cum-rail bridge, it was once Asia’s longest bridge of its kind. The bridge is also a cultural and iconic symbol of Rajahmundry, often featured in local arts, media, and tourism promotions. Its coordinates are 16°59′52″N 81°45′21″E.
Design and Structural Features
The Godavari Bridge is a truss-type double-decker bridge, with the rail track on the lower deck and road lanes above. The total length of the bridge is 4.1 kilometers, with the rail section spanning 2.8 km and the road section 4.1 km.
Structurally, it comprises 27 spans of 91.5 meters and 7 spans of 45.72 meters, six of which form a curved alignment at the Rajahmundry end. The longest span measures 91.5 meters (300 feet), allowing for robust support across the wide Godavari River. Its design is reminiscent of the Grafton Bridge in New South Wales, Australia, and reflects the advanced engineering of its era.
History and Construction
The bridge was commissioned during India’s Third Five-Year Plan to facilitate the doubling of the Chennai–Howrah railway line. Persistent local demand led to the addition of a road deck, providing a crucial road link between Kovvur and Rajahmundry. Constructed by the Braithwaite, Burn & Jessop Construction Company, a unit of Bharat Bhari Udyog Nigam Limited, construction began in the early 1970s.
The bridge was officially opened on 16 August 1974 and inaugurated by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed. Over the years, it has become a landmark for the city and an essential component of Andhra Pradesh’s infrastructure.
Geography of the Godavari River at the Bridge Site
At Rajahmundry, the Godavari River, South India’s largest river, flows with a width of approximately 2.7 kilometers, split into two channels separated by an island. The river at this point exhibits a maximum discharge of about 3 million cubic meters per second, with a flow velocity reaching 5 meters per second.
The bridge is strategically positioned near the river’s deltaic reach, about 60 kilometers upstream from where the Godavari empties into the Bay of Bengal, making it crucial for both transportation and regional connectivity.
Sister Bridges Across the Godavari River
The Godavari River at Rajahmundry hosts multiple notable bridges:
Old Godavari Bridge (Havelock Bridge): Built in 1900 and now decommissioned, it was 2,754 meters long, constructed with stone masonry and steel girders.
Godavari Arch Bridge: A modern bowstring girder arch bridge by Hindustan Construction Company, capable of handling high-speed rail, commissioned for passenger traffic in 1997 and fully operational by 2003.
Fourth Godavari Bridge: Opened in 2015, adding capacity to accommodate the region’s growing traffic demands.
Cultural and Tourism Significance
Apart from its functional importance, the Godavari Bridge is a major attraction for visitors, offering picturesque views of the Godavari River, especially during sunrise, sunset, and festival times. The bridge is often featured in photography, media, and local celebrations, symbolizing the city of Rajahmundry and its connection to the mighty Godavari River.