Solani Aqueduct

Solani Aqueduct is a 19th century hydraulic engineering masterpiece that carries the Upper Ganga Canal over the Solani River in Roorkee, Uttarakhand. Designed and constructed by the visionary British engineer Sir Proby Thomas Cautley between 1846 and 1854, this colossal brick masonry structure was the longest and largest canal aqueduct in the world at the time of its completion.

Spanning roughly 350 meters in length across 15 soaring brick arches, the aqueduct structure is flanked by two monumental life sized stone lions standing guard on northern and southern banks. Strolling along the tree lined canal walkways, visitors can observe canal water flowing peacefully above while the Solani seasonal river torrent passes freely through massive brick arches below. It works as a favored evening park for IIT Roorkee students, local residents, and engineering enthusiasts.

Truth is, watching calm canal waters glide overhead across 170 year old brick arches while sunset reflects off the historic masonry is awe inspiring. It remains a crowning historical monument in Uttarakhand's plains.