Sudarshan Setu: India’s Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge
On Sunday, 25 Feb, The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi inaugurated the longest cable-stayed bridge in Dwarka, Gujarat. The beauty of this bridge is mesmerizing and it is named Sudarshan Setu which holds a significant meaning in the hearts of Pilgrims as well as native residents of India. Sudarshan Setu is the longest cable-stayed bridge in India which connects Okha mainland and Beyt Dwarka. Apart from PM Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel also attended the inauguration ceremony of Sudarshan Setu which is 2.32 KM long. Some of the major facts about Sudarshan Setu are given below:
In 2017, Honourable PM Modi laid the foundation stone of India’s longest bridge and approximately Rs 980 crore has been spent on the construction of this bridge. The other name of Sudarshan Bridge is Okha-Beyt Dwarka Signature Bridge. This bridge is directly connected with Dwarkadhish Temple and hence it is named Sudarshan Bridge. Before the two-day Gujarat visit, PM Modi took his X account (formerly known as Twitter) where he talked about the inauguration of the bridge. The post of Modi reads, “Tomorrow is a special day for Gujarat’s growth trajectory. Among the several projects being integrated is the Sudarshan Setu, connecting Okha mainland and Beyt Dwarka. This is a stunning project which will enhance connectivity.”
After the inauguration of India’s longest cable-stayed bridge, Modi made another tweet about it which reads, “Delighted to inaugurate Sudarshan Setu today.” He even termed the bridge as ” a bridge that connects lands and people.”
What is so special about Sudarshan Setu
The first thing that is pulling the attention of everyone is the length of the bridge. Furthermore, it is directly connecting the Okha mainland with Beyt Dwarka island. The main motive behind the bridge is to enhance the connectivity within the region. The pictures of the beautiful bridge have been shared by Modi on his X account which showcases its immense beauty. As we already mentioned above, it is connecting Okha mainland with Beyt Dwarka. Beyt Dwarka is an island near Okha port which is around 30 km from Dwarka town. It is worth noting that the popular Dwarkadhish temple of Lord Krishna is situated.
The name of the bridge was changed as it was earlier known as the “Signature Bridge”. The aim of the bridge is to simplify access for pilgrims commuting between Okha and Bet Dwarka. Now with the help of this bridge, one can easily reach Dwarkadhish Temple. Prior to this bridge, devotees had to depend on boat transport to reach their desired destination in Beyt, Dwarka.
Major facts of Sudarshan Bridge
- The solar panels have been installed on the upper part of the footpath which will be helpful to generate 1 megawatt of electricity.
- Apart from it, it is a four-lane bridge and has 2.50-metre-wide footpaths on all sides. India’s longest cable-stayed bridge features a footpath adorned with verses that are taken from Bhagavad Gita.
- To enhance the beauty of the bridge, the pictures and images of Lord Krishna are carved on both sides. Apart from the connectivity factor, it is also a place of tourist attraction.
- Honorable PM Modi also inaugurated the first All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rajkot on Sunday, 25 Feb. The PM of India also introduced and performed innovative projects for approximately Rs 48,000 crore of different central and state departments, such as energy and petrochemical, NHAI, roads and buildings, and railways.