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What is cost of Sudarshan Setu Project?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sudarshan Setu, a 2.32 km-long cable-stayed bridge connecting Okha and Beyt Dwarka in Gujarat.

By Ground report 26 Feb 2024

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sudarshan Setu, a 2.32 km-long cable-stayed bridge connecting Okha and Beyt Dwarka in Gujarat. The bridge, built for Rs 978 crore, aims to ease access for pilgrims visiting the Dwarkadhish Temple and boost tourism and development in the region.

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The Sudarshan Setu is India’s longest cable-stayed bridge, with a central double-span cable-stayed portion covering 900 meters. It has four lanes and spacious 2.50-meter-wide footpaths on each side, adorned with verses from the Bhagavad Gita and images of Lord Krishna. The bridge also features solar panels on the upper sections of its footpath, generating one megawatt of electricity.

The bridge links the Okha mainland with Beyt Dwarka island, the legendary abode of Lord Krishna. Before the bridge’s construction, pilgrims had to rely on boat transport to reach the Dwarkadhish Temple, which is one of the four sacred places of the Char Dham pilgrimage. The bridge not only eases their commute but also serves as a tourist attraction, highlighting Gujarat’s rich cultural heritage and architectural marvels.

The Sudarshan Setu project was initiated by Prime Minister Modi in October 2017, when he laid the foundation stone for it. The project was completed in less than four years by the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The bridge is expected to improve connectivity and trade in the area, as well as create employment opportunities for the local people.

Prime Minister Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Gujarat, also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several other projects in the state, including a desalination plant, a hybrid renewable energy park, a fully automated milk processing and packing plant, and a seaweed cultivation project. He also addressed public rallies and interacted with the beneficiaries of various schemes.

He praised the development and progress of Gujarat under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and urged the people to continue supporting the BJP government.

Some other cable-stayed bridges in India

Bandra–Worli Sea Link

This is the first eight-lane, cable-stayed freeway over the open sea in India. It was conceived in the 90s and faced legal challenges from fishermen and environmentalists. The final cost of the bridge was Rs 16.5 billion, up from Rs 13 billion. The bridge spans 5.6 km and cuts down the travel time between Worli and the Suburbs of Bandra from 60-90 minutes to less than 10 minutes.

Manohar Setu

This is an eight-lane, cable-stayed bridge in Goa that crosses the Zuari river. It is 640 metre-long and is also known as Manohar Setu. The construction of the bridge started in 2016 but was delayed due to the Covid pandemic. The bridge runs parallel to the old bridge and connects North Goa, including Panaji, to South Goa and the business hub of Margao. The bridge is built to last for 120 years and can allow vehicle speed of 80 km/ hour, but the government may reduce it to 60 km/ hour. The estimated cost of the bridge is Rs 2,701 crore.

Kota-Chambal Bridge

This is a six-lane, cable-stayed bridge in Rajasthan that spans the Chambal river on Kota Bypass on NH-76 of the East-West Corridor. It is 1.4 km long and 30-metre wide and was built at the cost of Rs 277 crore.

3rd Narmada Bridge

This is a four-lane, extra-dosed bridge in Gujarat that crosses the Narmada river at Bharuch on NH-8 and connects to the Petrochemicals Complex of OPAL at Dahej. It has 216 cables that are 25-40 metre-long. The bridge has a 17.4-metre wide 4-lane road and a 3-metre wide footpath. The bridge reduces the traffic congestion from NH8 Bharuch.