Mahakumbh Nagar (UP), Jan 20: Drawing inspiration from a 2,500-year-old Persian practice, pontoon bridges are playing a crucial role in linking the Sangam with the expansive 4,000-hectare ‘akhada’ zones, connecting 25 vibrant sectors at the Maha Kumbh.
Over 1,000 individuals dedicated at least 10 hours daily for more than a year to build pontoons for 30 bridges, making it the largest such initiative to date.
The construction involved over 2,200 black floating iron capsules, each weighing five tonnes, designed to facilitate transportation for vehicles, pilgrims, sadhus, and workers at the world’s largest cultural and spiritual event.
These bridges, hailed as floating marvels, are capable of supporting up to five tonnes.
Mahakumbh Nagar Additional District Magistrate Vivek Chaturvedi mentioned that the bridges serve as essential connections between the Sangam and akhada areas.
“These structures are vital for the Maha Kumbh, offering a low-maintenance option for the massive inflow of visitors. Continuous monitoring is necessary to ensure safety and smooth movement for devotees around the clock. We have CCTV cameras installed on each bridge, with footage regularly reviewed at the Integrated Command and Control Centre,” he informed PTI.
“Each bridge underwent rigorous testing before being approved for use. They are designed to accommodate a large number of people at once,” he added.
Historically, pontoon bridges were first utilized in 480 BC by Persian king Xerxes I during his campaign against Greece and were subsequently employed by the Zhou dynasty in China in the 11th century BC.
In India, the inaugural pipa bridge was constructed in October 1874 over the Hooghly river, connecting Howrah and Kolkata, designed by British engineer Sir Bradford Leslie and supported by wooden pontoons.
After being damaged by a cyclone, it was dismantled in 1943, with the Rabindra Setu, widely known as the Howrah Bridge, replacing it.
Maha Kumbh, a grand religious occasion held every 12 years, is currently taking place in Prayagraj from January 13 and will last for 45 days. To date, more than seven crore pilgrims have bathed at the Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.
Alok Kumar, an engineer with the public works department, elaborated that pipa bridges are temporary structures comprised of large hollow iron containers (pontoons) floating on the water’s surface.
Such bridges are colloquially referred to as “pipe ka pul” in Prayagraj.
“These bridges were constructed to enable not only public movement but also the significant entry of 13 akhadas, chariots, elephants, horses, and over 1,000 vehicles during the Amrit Snan,” Kumar stated.
He noted that he was assigned to create pipa bridges in August 2023.
“To build 30 pipa bridges, we utilized 2,213 pontoons, the highest number ever used. More than 1,000 workers, engineers, and officials worked diligently, often for up to 14 hours a day. The construction was completed last October and subsequently transferred to the mela administration,” he explained.
“The development of 30 pipa bridges over the Ganga for the Maha Kumbh represents the largest such project to date. Following the fair, these bridges will be disassembled and stored for potential future use at various locations,” he added.
The hollow pontoons, crafted from durable iron sheets, are lowered into the river using cranes. Girder beams are placed atop them and secured with nuts and bolts. Hydraulic machines precisely position the pontoons.
Additional stabilization is provided with thick wooden planks, sandy soil, and iron angles. Finally, checker plates are laid on the surface to ensure the bridges can withstand the movement of pilgrims and vehicles.
“Each pontoon weighs around five tonnes yet can float. This phenomenon is explained by Archimedes’ principle, where an object submerged in water experiences an upward force equivalent to the weight of the displaced water. This principle allows the bulky pontoons to remain afloat,” Kumar clarified.
“The design ensures each bridge can support weights up to five tonnes. Exceeding this limit risks damaging the bridge or causing it to sink, making crowd management paramount,” he added.
Officials from the Uttar Pradesh government mentioned that the cost for the construction of the 30 pipa bridges amounted to Rs 17.31 crore.
“The bridge connecting Shri Nagvasuki Temple to Jhusi is the most expensive, totaling Rs 1.13 crore. The Gangeshwar and Bharadwaj bridges ranged from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 89 lakh,” disclosed a senior government official.
“After the Maha Kumbh concludes, these bridges will be taken apart and secured in safe locations. Some will be preserved in Sarainayat (Kenihar), Trivenipuram, and Parade Ground in Prayagraj, while others may be reused as temporary structures in various districts across Uttar Pradesh,” he concluded.
