Sudarshan Setu – India’s Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge

On February 24th 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the strategically important Sudarshan Setu bridge over the Gulf of Kutch connecting Dwarka mainland to Beyt Dwarka Island off Gujarat coast. Spanning over 2 kms, it is India’s longest cable-stayed road bridge.
The bridge, which was known as ‘Signature Bridge’, has been renamed as ‘Sudarshan Setu’ or Sudarshan Bridge.

Project History and Costs

The 27-metre wide four-lane bridge was sanctioned in 2017 at estimated costs of ₹979 crores with project oversight by Roads and Building Department of Gujarat. Larsen & Toubro executed the construction over 6 years.

The 2.32 km bridge, including 900 metres of central double-span cable-stayed portion and a 2.45 km long approach road.

Enhancing Connectivity

Beyt Dwarka is an island near Okha port, which is nearly 30 km from Dwarka town, where the famous Dwarkadhish temple of Lord Krishna is situated. Connecting Okha and Beyt Dwarka island, the bridge reduces the distance between old and new Dwarka by nearly 80kms. The bridge also eases access, transportation costs and time for thousands of tourists and Hindu pilgrims headed to the ancient Dwarkadhish Temple while catalyzing local economy.

Notable Design Elements

Adorned with Religious Imagery

Distinct from conventional bridges, Sudarshan Setu features 2.50-metre-wide pedestrian footpaths on both sides adorned with verses from Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita and images of Lord Krishna giving it cultural identity representing Dwarka’s historical significance.

Marine Safety Engineering Feat

Given vulnerable marine environs along India’s western seaboard, the cable-stayed bridge deploys advanced wind tunnel tested aerodynamic engineering ensuring stability against extreme climate events like cyclones. This makes the structure resilient.

Ro-Ro Ferry Integration

The bridge design facilitates synchronized operations with proposed roll on-roll off ferry routes allowing smooth cross-gulf people and cargo movement integrating the mainland with Beyt Dwarka island township.

AIIMS campuses

The Prime Minister also inaugurated Gujarat’s first All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rajkot.
Besides the Rajkot AIIMS, the Prime Minister also virtually inaugurated four other newly-built AIIMS in Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Category: India Nation & States Current Affairs