Kolkata, Mar 6 (IANS) A mentally challenged man Saturday climbed atop the Howrah Bridge, blocking traffic into the city for more than four hours as a huge crowd gathered at the spot, officials said.

The man climbed atop of the bridge at around 2.30 pm and started shouting. The local police was informed, as a crowd gathered at the spot.

Police officials, along with fire service department officials, rushed to the spot, and after more than three hours of effort, persuaded him to come down.

'The man climbed on the top of the bridge and threatened not to come down. Officials of fire services rushed to the spot and convinced him to come down. The man, in his mid-thirties, is mentally challenged,' a fire service official said.

The incident resulted in traffic congestion, blocking the gateway to Kolkata for more than four hours.