Gomti has always divided and defined Lucknow, its waters reflecting changing skylines. Along its banks, empires have fallen and rebuilt. At the heart of this story stands Hardinge Bridge, known to locals as Pucca Pul or Lal Pul, linking Daliganj and Chowk for over a century. Inaugurated on January 10, 1914, by Lord Hardinge, then Viceroy and Governor-General of India, the bridge came to symbolise a subtle yet significant transition, marking Lucknow’s passage from Nawabi elegance to the precision of colonial engineering.
Before Lal Pul: The Shahi Pul
Lucknow’s first major river crossing was the Shahi Pul, begun under Safdar Jang and completed in the late 18th century by Asaf-ud-Daula. It was built of stone arches around 1797. After British annexed the region in 1857, the old bridge increasingly fell short of colonial heavy military requirements. It was gradually dismantled, and by 1911 the site was cleared to make way for a sturdier replacement. The old order had been swept aside!
Building the Colonial Artery
Construction of Hardinge Bridge began in 1911 under British Public Works engineers. Designed as a deck-arch road bridge, it rests on solid masonry piers sunk deep into the Gomti’s bed, supporting metal arches that carry a two-lane roadway with pedestrian paths. Its reddish paint earned it the nickname Lal Pul.
Its inauguration coincided with the opening of King George’s Medical College (now King George’s Medical University), underscoring the colonial administration’s focus on durable civic infrastructure.
From carts to cinema
For decades, Pucca Pul remained one of Lucknow’s busiest crossings. Tongas and handcarts once queued along its edges, later came scooters, buses and relentless city traffic. The bridge also found its way into popular films such as Tanu Weds Manu and Gadar: Ek Prem Katha.
Steady as she goes
After 112 years of continuous service, structural assessments in 2024 restricted the bridge to light vehicles. Small kiosks now hang over the railings at several pier points. To ease congestion and preserve the historic structure, two new four-lane bridges were constructed alongside it.
Today, there’s even a ‘new’ Pucca Pul, built just parallel to the original a few years ago. Retaining the signature red hue and drawing clear inspiration from the old bridge, it now carries both heavy and light vehicular traffic. Meanwhile, the Hardinge Bridge continues to stand its ground—still operational, though with a lighter burden. It may no longer bear heavy trucks, but it remains a vital passage for pedestrians, cyclists, and everyday local movement.
Lucknow News: 111-YO Pakka Pul to soon share traffic load with new parallel four-lane bridge
