Peter de Noronha

Chevalier Peter Bertram Cypriano Castellino de Noronha KSG CE (19 April 1897 – 24 July 1970) was a well-known businessman, philanthropist and civil servant of Kanpur, India. He was also knighted by Pope Paul VI in 1965 for his work for the Christian community in India.

Peter was born to Claudine Rachel de Noronha and William Constantine, a prominent Goan businessman in Kanpur who owned an auctioneering company. He received his early education from St Mary's High School, Bombay and later from St Joseph's College, Nainital. He excelled in academics and athletics and went on to join the Thomason College of Civil Engineering (the predecessor of IIT Roorkee), one of the elite engineering colleges in India. He received a gold medal (stood first in the university) in civil engineering in 1918 and won a scholarship for further research, which he refused.

After leaving Rourkee, he served in World War I in the King George's Own Royal Sappers and Miners where he received a service medal. After the war he joined the Public Works Department as a Class I Engineer (the highest rank).

He was instrumental in building the first bridge across the Ganges River at Haridwar at Har-ki-Pauri Ghat at Haridwar where a plaque in his honour was put up.

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