Howrah Bridge gets dynamic lighting: 3,825 luminaires light up Kolkata icon
Synopsis
For the first time in its 83-year history, Kolkata's iconic Howrah Bridge is getting a full dynamic lighting makeover — 3,825 luminaires, synchronised sound, and a dedicated mobile app for live streaming. At ₹22.35 crore, SMP Kolkata is betting that the 'City of Joy's' most-recognised silhouette becomes its most-watched spectacle too.
Key Takeaways
Rabindra Setu (Howrah Bridge) has been fitted with dynamic architectural lighting featuring 3,825 luminaires and a total capacity of 385 KW .
The project cost ₹22.35 crore and was executed by M/s M M Brothers with lighting support from M/s Havells Lighting ; Jadavpur University was the technical consultant.
Light shows will be staged on national occasions including Independence Day , Republic Day , Durga Puja , Diwali , and Holi .
A dedicated mobile application will live-stream the synchronised light-and-sound shows to citizens and tourists.
The 705-metre bridge, commissioned on 3 February 1943 , handles nearly 1,00,000 vehicles and over 1,50,000 pedestrians daily.
This is the first time dynamic architectural lighting has been implemented on the bridge.
Rabindra Setu (Howrah Bridge), one of Kolkata's most enduring landmarks, has been fitted with state-of-the-art dynamic architectural lighting by its custodian, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata, following clearance from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The illumination, executed at a cost of ₹22.35 crore, marks the first time dynamic lighting has been deployed on the 705-metre steel suspension bridge since its commissioning in 1943.
What the New Lighting System Covers
The dynamic architectural illumination system comprises 3,825 luminaires with a total installed capacity of 385 KW. The setup brings the bridge's structural profile, skeletal surfaces, crowns, and main pylons to life through synchronised light and sound. According to officials, the project was executed by M/s M M Brothers, with lighting support from M/s Havells Lighting, while Jadavpur University served as the technical consultant.
When and Where the Shows Will Run
'The lighting will be showcased on important national occasions and festivals including Independence Day, Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Durga Puja, Diwali and Holi, creating a renewed visual identity for one of Kolkata's most recognisable landmarks,' an SMP Kolkata official said. A dedicated mobile application will live-stream the dynamic light shows with synchronised sound, allowing citizens and tourists to experience the spectacle in real time.
What SMP Kolkata Said
SMP Kolkata Chairman Rathendra Raman said at the launch: 'The illumination of Rabindra Setu is not just lighting of a bridge; it is lighting up the legacy of Kolkata. Howrah Bridge is an emotion for the people of this city and the nation. This dynamic architectural lighting will enhance its heritage grandeur and offer a world-class visual spectacle to citizens and tourists alike, while reaffirming SMP Kolkata's commitment to preserving and celebrating our iconic heritage.'
The Bridge's Heritage and Scale
The Howrah Bridge was commissioned on 3 February 1943 and named Rabindra Setu after Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1965. It connects the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah across the Hooghly River and remains one of the busiest bridges in the country, with nearly 1,00,000 vehicles and over 1,50,000 pedestrians crossing it daily. While the port had previously installed decorative lighting on the bridge, this is the first instance of full dynamic architectural illumination being implemented.
Impact on Heritage Tourism
Port officials expect the upgrade to meaningfully enhance Kolkata's heritage tourism appeal, positioning the bridge as a world-class visual attraction for both domestic visitors and international tourists. The light-and-sound experience, accessible via mobile application, broadens the audience beyond those physically present on the riverbank — a model increasingly adopted by iconic structures globally.
Point of View
But the real return will be measured in footfall and social media reach. The live-streaming mobile app is a smart play: it democratises access and extends the audience well beyond Kolkata's riverbanks. The risk is execution — India has a patchy record of maintaining landmark lighting infrastructure, and a world-class debut can quickly fade if routine upkeep is not built into the operating model from day one.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new dynamic lighting on Howrah Bridge?
Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu) has been fitted with a dynamic architectural lighting system comprising 3,825 luminaires and a total installed capacity of 385 KW, along with synchronised sound. The ₹22.35 crore project, managed by SMP Kolkata, is the first-ever dynamic illumination on the 83-year-old bridge.
When will the Howrah Bridge light shows take place?
The illumination will be showcased on major national occasions and festivals, including Independence Day, Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Durga Puja, Diwali, and Holi. A dedicated mobile application will also live-stream the light-and-sound shows for those who cannot be present at the site.
Who built and funded the Howrah Bridge lighting project?
The project was executed by M/s M M Brothers with lighting support from M/s Havells Lighting, and Jadavpur University served as the technical consultant. It was commissioned by SMP Kolkata after clearance from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, at a total project cost of ₹22.35 crore.
What is the history of Howrah Bridge?
The Howrah Bridge, officially named Rabindra Setu, is a 705-metre steel suspension bridge connecting Kolkata and Howrah across the Hooghly River. It was commissioned on 3 February 1943 and renamed after Rabindranath Tagore in 1965; today it handles nearly 1,00,000 vehicles and over 1,50,000 pedestrians daily.
How does this differ from earlier lighting on the bridge?
While SMP Kolkata had previously installed basic decorative lighting on the bridge, the new system is the first full dynamic architectural illumination, featuring programmable luminaires, structural profiling of the pylons and crowns, and real-time synchronised sound — a significant upgrade in both scale and technology.
