into the Hooghly during the dry season so as to reduce the silting difficulties at Kolkata's port. Like the rest of the Ganges, the Bhāgirathi-Hooghly is considered sacred to Hindus, and its water is considered holy. Bridges and Tunnels The following bridges currently span the Hooghly/Bhagirathi River; listed from south to north (mouth to source), until the Farakka Feeder Canal meets the river: Vidyasagar Setu (Second Hooghly Bridge)- inaugurated in October 1992, connecting Howrah and Kolkata Rabindra Setu (Howrah Bridge) - inaugurated in February 1943, connecting Howrah and Kolkata Nivedita Setu (Second Vivekananda Bridge) - inaugurated in July 2007, connecting Bally and Dakhineswar; runs adjacent to Vivekananda Setu Vivekananda Setu (Bally Bridge; road and rail bridge) - inaugurated in December 1932, connecting Bally and Dakhineswar; runs adjacent to Nivedita Setu Sampreeti Setu (New Jubilee Bridge; rail only) - inaugurated in August 2016, connecting Bandel and Naihati; replaced the now-decommissioned Jubilee Bridge Ishwar Gupta Setu (Kalyani Bridge) - inaugurated in 1989, connecting Bansberia and Kalyani Gouranga Setu - connecting Nabadwip and Krishnanagar Ramendra Sundar Tribedi Setu - connecting Khagraghat and Baharampur Jangipur Bhagirathi Bridge - connecting Raghunathganj and Jangipur The following bridges are under various stages of development: Nashipur Rail Bridge (rail only) - partially constructed; connecting Azimganj and Murshidabad New Bhagirathi Bridge - connecting Basudev Khali and Haridasmati Kalna - Shantipur Bridge - announced Fuleshwar - Budge Budge Bridge - announced The following tunnels are situated under the Hooghly River :- CESC Tunnel - This tunnel is using for electric power transmission between Kolkata and Howrah. It is the first underwater tunnel of Asia, as well as India. The construction of this tunnel was completed in 1931. East West Metro Tunnel - The tunnel is been completed in 2021. This tunnel is the first underwater river railway tunnel in India. It is a metro railway tunnel, connecting Kolkata to Howrah. Economics The Bhāgirathi-Hooghly river system is an essential lifeline for the people of West Bengal. It was through this river that the East India company sailed into Bengal and established their trade settlement, Calcutta, the capital of British India. People from other countries such as the French, Dutch, Portuguese, etc. all had their trade settlements by the banks of this river. The river provides a perennial supply of water to the plain of West Bengal for irrigation and human & industry consumption. The river is navigable and a major transport