Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 4.djvu/730

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, extending 10 miles along the Hugli, with an average width of working channel of 250 yards, and with moorings for 169 vessels, is under the management of a body of 9 European gentle men styled &quot; Commissioners for making Improvements in the Port of Calcutta.&quot; This body was constituted in 1870, and has since that date received considerable additions to its powers. In 1871 they were appointed &quot; Bridge Com missioners,&quot; to take charge of the floating bridge over the Hugli, and to work it when completed. This bridge, finished in 1874, now supplies a permanent connection between Calcutta and the railway terminus on the Howrah side of the river. It is constructed on pontoons, and affords a continuous roadway for foot passengers and vehicles. The traffic returns for 41 weeks in 1875 were 7593; the cost of the bridge has been 220,000. The main duty of the Port Commissioners has hitherto con sisted in providing accommodation, by jetties and ware houses, for the shipping and native boats, which carry on the great and increasing trade of Calcutta.

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