Jhinjhir Polo: Odisha’s forgotten suspension bridge
The Jhinjhir Polo over the Jalaka river was the first suspension bridge of Eastern India. It was on the Old Jagannath Sadak at Mathani village near Basta in Baleswar district. Just 750 meter from the present highway, the remains of the once grand bridge can still be seen.
Completed in 1905, it was constructed on the lines of the Hanging Bridge of Punalur, Kerala, which had been designed by Scottish engineer Albert Henry in 1897. It was based on English engineer Brunel’s original design and was an engineering marvel of its time. It was named “Jhinjhir” because of the supporting iron chains that hung from the stay cables.
