Godavari Bridge, Rajahmundry - Timings, Boating, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 2.5 km from Rajahmundry Railway Station, The Godavari Bridge or Kovvur-Rajahmundry Bridge is a truss bridge spanning Godavari river in Rajahmundry. It was commissioned by South Central Railway division of Indian Railways. It was inaugurated by the then President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed in 1974. It is Asia's second longest road-cum-rail bridge crossing a water body. This is very scenic place with wonderful views of the bridge and Godavari River.

This is the second bridge of the three bridges. The bridge is 4.2 km (2.7 km Rail & 4.2 km Road). At the location of the bridge, the river flows with a width of about 2.7 km, split into two channels with an island formation in between. The bridge has a road deck over the single track rail deck. This bridge, in addition to Godavari Arch Bridge, has been widely used to represent Rajahmundry in arts, media, and culture. It is one of the recognized symbols of Rajahmundry.

The Old Godavari Bridge or Havelock Bridge was the earliest of the three, built in 1897 by Frederick Thomas Granville Walton and it is a marvel of British engineering. This bridge is 2754 m long and is made of masonry piers and steel girders. It was decommissioned in 1997 as it had served its full utility. The Godavari Arch Bridge was actually built to replace the Havelock Bridge.

Godavari Arch Bridge, adjacent to Havelock Bridge is the newest bridge built in 1997 and presently in service. Constructed by the Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), this bridge is a modern day engineering feat. The bridge is made of bow string girder arches. The bridge is fit for 350 km/h rail services. The bridge was opened for rail traffic in 2003.The Bridge is one of the longest concrete arch bridges in Asia.

Havelock Bridge & Godavari Arch Bridge location is most widely used to represent the Godavari region and Rajahmundry. Plenty of Tollywood movies were shot at this location. The popular Rajahmundry Pushkara Ghat is situated between Havelock & Godavari Arch Bridges. Boating facility is also available here.