Old Naini Bridge

The Old Naini Bridge is one of India’s oldest and longest bridges and is located in Prayagraj. It is a double-decked steel truss bridge, and it runs across the Yamuna River. The bridge connects the city of Prayagraj to the surrounding area of Naini.”The railway line utilizes the upper deck.” This railway line connects Naini Junction Railway Station to Allahabad Junction Railway Station. The lower deck has served as a roadway successfully since 1927. The bridge connects Howrah and Delhi. The bridge has sixteen pillars, each sixty-two feet in height. The pillars are built at a depth of Forty-four feet. The pier number 13 took extra time and care to construct during construction. So, a co-offer dam was built to protect the pillar. The length of the bridge is 1,006 meters. It is also known as the Old Yamuna or Old Jamuna Bridge.

Attraction

The most attractive part of the bridge is the ‘train moved above cars at a time.’ The bridge has a long story and a century of memories. It increases the sense of nostalgia. Walking on the bridge, you can feel like stepping back in time. Every day lots of transport crosses the bridge. It also keeps memories of modern transportation. It is about the architectural and engineering prowess that connects the city of Prayagraj to the surrounding area of Naini. Indeed, it is a remarkable structure with a rich history. By crossing the bridge, you can visit other popular places, such as the Mankameshwar Temple, the Someshwar Mahadev Temple, or the Jamuna Church. The spectacular view of the Yamuna River can steal your heart. During sunrise or sunset, the play of lights looks very enchanting.

History

The Old Naini Bridge connects Howrah with New Delhi. The East India Company (EIC) surveyed the area in 1855. Then, in 1859, the construction work started. In 1865, a double-decked steel truss bridge was visible successfully. James Meadows Rendall, the Civil Engineer for East India Company, had planned it. The total cost is RS 16,16,335 to make the bridge. G. Sibley was the engineer in charge. Later on, in 1970, the Great Indian Peninsular Railway (GIPR) made it extremely useful when they used it as a connection to add the city of Jabalpur, and they aimed to spread the branches to more cities later. On July 15, 1865, the first train moved on the bridge, and on August 8, 1865, the first load testing was done. However, in 2004, the new Naini Bridge was finally constructed and allowed timeliness facilitation for people.

Inside/Outside Views

The Old Naini Bridge has Sixteen Pillars, which are sixty-two feet each. The pillars are made of forty- four feet deep to make it strong. It is considered a comprehensive example of architecture and engineering. It was built on the Yamuna River and aimed to connect the surrounding cities. When you observe the bridge from a distance, you can witness its incredible architecture, cable-stayed design, towering pylons, and stopped cables. The length of the bridge is 1006 meters. It is one of the longest bridges in India. When you step onto the bridge, you can see the double-decker arrangement in which the upper lane is used for the two-lane railway line. It connects the Naini Junction to Allahabad Junction. How captivating the scene is when the train runs over your head! It’s a thrilling experience. Here, you can also enjoy the beauty of the Yamuna River, its waters, and the changing skies. All of these make the bridge wonderful together.

How to Reach

By Air: Bamrauli Airport is 12 kilometers from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Kanpur, Varanasi, and Lucknow airports are also very close to Bamrauli Airport. Taxis and other motor vehicles are always available from the airport to any place in Allahabad. The airport is well-connected to Delhi and other areas of India. You can easily reach your desired place from the airport using any vehicle.

By Road: You can also go to Allahabad by Road. Civil Lines Bus Stand is the nearest to the Old Naini Bridge. It is 5 kilometers away from the bridge. Besides, there is also an excellent bus service from major Indian cities such as Meerut, Delhi, and Jhansi to Allahabad, provided by The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC). You can take a cab or an auto-rickshaw from the bus stand to the university. National and state highways connect Prayagraj to the other parts of the country.

By Train: The nearest railway station to the bridge is Allahabad Railway Junction, also known as Prayagraj Railway Junction. It is well-connected to every city of Allahabad and other small towns in Uttar Pradesh. It is 6 km away from the Old Naini Bridge. Prayag station is also close to the bridge. It is about 5 km away from the bridge. Rambagh Station is about 3 km away from the bridge. You can easily get any cab or vehicle from here to reach the bridge.

Tips for Travellers

Please visit the Bridge during the golden hours, which means early morning or late afternoon.
Be sincere about traffic when you are walking on the Bridge
Stay on the lower level of the Bridge. Because the upper level is used for the train.
Refrain from sinking into the imagination to take too many pictures.
Carry a first aid kit & water bottles.