The 81-year-old iconic Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu) -- that connects the cities of Kolkata and Howrah -- will remain closed to traffic for five hours on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday for a comprehensive health check-up.

Howrah Bridge in Kolkata will be closed for a comprehensive health audit tonight, marking its first such inspection in two decades, aimed at assessing any structural fatigue and ensuring safety for future use.

The last comprehensive check-up of the British-era Howrah Bridge was conducted between 1983-88. However, regular maintenance, including road surface repairs, is carried out on the structure by the authorities.

Kolkata Port Trust also known as The Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Port which is responsible for maintaining the bridge has now hired Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) to conduct the study,

Iconic Howrah Bridge in Kolkata to be fully closed for safety and health audit, increasing lifespan and durability.

The iconic Howrah Bridge or Rabindra Setu, which serves as a crucial gateway to the city, will be fully closed both ways for all types of vehicles from 11-30 p.m. on Saturday to 4-30 a.m Sunday for a comprehensive check-up,

The iconic Howrah Bridge in Kolkata will be shut temporarily for a thorough health audit, the first of its kind in over three decades. The bridge, officially named Rabindra Setu, will remain off-limits for vehicles from 11:30pm on Saturday to 4:30am on Sunday. The audit is being carried out by RITES Ltd., a railway undertaking, and other experts.

The Kolkata Port Trust, which is responsible for the upkeep of the structure, stated that the temporary closure is essential for conducting the evaluation without disruptions

The bridge, which was renamed Rabindra Setu in 1965 to honour poet and writer Rabindranath Tagore, will be shut both ways for all types of vehicular movement from 11.30pm on Saturday to 4.30am on Sund