Draft:Kolkata and Howrah: Twin Cities and Economic Hubs

Kolkata and Howrah: Twin Cities and Economic Hubs

Introduction

Kolkata and Howrah, two of the largest cities in the Indian state of West Bengal, are often referred to as twin cities¹². They are located on opposite banks of the Hooghly River, with Kolkata on the eastern bank³. The two cities are interconnected by several bridges, the most iconic of which is the Howrah Bridge⁴.

Historical Connection

The Howrah Bridge, also known as Rabindra Setu, was commissioned in 1943 and has since served as a vital link between Kolkata and Howrah⁴. It replaced a pontoon bridge at the same location, further strengthening the connection between the twin cities⁴. The bridge carries a daily traffic of approximately 100,000 vehicles and possibly more than 150,000 pedestrians, making it one of the busiest cantilever bridges in the world⁴.

Economic Perspective

Metropolitan cities like Kolkata and Howrah are significant drivers of the economy⁵. The Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA), which includes Kolkata and Howrah, contributes approximately 30% to the state’s domestic product, despite accounting for only 18% of the state’s population⁵. This highlights the economic importance of these twin cities.

However, KMA also has a large number of slum settlements, particularly in Kolkata and Howrah, where around one-third of KMA’s population lives⁵. This presents a significant challenge from an economic and social perspective.

Urban Expansion and Development

Over the years, both Kolkata and Howrah have witnessed significant urban expansion⁶. The built-up area has increased drastically, transforming agricultural land and open land into urban spaces⁶. This urban expansion, however, is not compact in nature, indicating a sprawl growth within the Kolkata urban agglomeration⁶.

The introduction of the Metro service has significantly changed the commute between Kolkata and Howrah⁷. This development has brought Howrah closer to Kolkata, truly making it Kolkata’s twin city⁷.

Conclusion

The twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah share a deep historical connection and play a crucial role in the economy of West Bengal. Despite the challenges posed by rapid urban expansion and socio-economic disparities, the cities continue to grow and develop, further strengthening their bond.

References

¹ Kolkata and Howrah twin cities ⁴ Howrah Bridge - Wikipedia ³ Kolkata-Howrah : A tale of Twin Cities ² Howrah - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ⁷ Development of Metro: An eastern perspective - The Pioneer ⁵ Smart Global Megacities Spatial Strategies for Kolkata Metropolitan Region ⁶ Analysing Urban Sprawl and Spatial Expansion of Kolkata Urban Agglomeration Using Geospatial Approach

References

¹ Kolkata and Howrah twin cities ⁴ Howrah Bridge - Wikipedia ³ Kolkata-Howrah : A tale of Twin Cities ² Howrah - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ⁷ Development of Metro: An eastern perspective - The Pioneer ⁵ Smart Global Megacities Spatial Strategies for Kolkata Metropolitan Region ⁶ Analysing Urban Sprawl and Spatial Expansion of Kolkata Urban Agglomeration Using Geospatial Approach