New Bridge Inaugurated

In technical terms, Signature Bridge is a maritime link—a first for Gujarat. Its 4,772 m overall length includes a 900 m cable-stayed segment. The Union government provided funding for the four-lane bridge, which was built at an expense of Rs 978 crore.

The longest cable-stayed bridge in India, Sudarshan Setu, will be opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday in the Gulf of Kutch. Also called the Signature Bridge, it will connect the island of Bet Dwarka off the coast of Okha in Devbhumi Dwarka with the mainland of Gujarat.

In technical terms, Signature Bridge is a maritime link—a first for Gujarat. Its 4,772 m overall length includes a 900 m cable-stayed segment. The Union government provided funding for the four-lane bridge, which was built at an expense of Rs 978 crore.

Bet Dwarka is the second largest island off the Gujarat coast, after the Union Territory of Diu, which is situated off the coast of Una in Gir Somnath. The ferry boat service that runs from Dwarka to Okha, the closest point of mainland Gujarat, is currently the only way to get between Bet Dwraka and the mainland. The island will have year-round vehicle access thanks to the Signature Bridge. Thirty-two piers support seven 900-meter-long cable-stayed spans that sustain the bridge. In addition to its 27-meter-wide highway, the bridge features walkways on both sides and pillars adorned with Lord Krishna figures and Bhagavad Gita lyrics. These pathways' roofs are made of solar panels.

The bridge was developed by the Gujarat Department of Roads and Buildings' NH division and is a part of National Highway 51, which stretches along Saurashtra's coastline. The contract was given to SP Singla Constructions Private Limited by the government. The Aguwani-Sultanganj Ganga bridge collapse in Bihar under construction caught the attention of the Panchkula-based company in June.

Since they had to rely on boats to go to Beyt Dwarka up until now, devotees would find it easier to travel between Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka with the construction of the bridge. In Devbhumi Dwarka, the bridge will also be a well-known tourist destination.

To further improve sustainability, 1 MW of solar panels are positioned on top of the walkway shade. With a staggering overall length of 2,320 meters (7,612 feet), it is the longest cable-stayed bridge in India.

The bridge has three spans, the longest in India being the center span, which is an amazing 500 meters long. There are also six more spans that are between 50 and 500 meters long. The approaches are 770 meters on the Okha side and 650 meters on the Beyt Dwarka side.

Two A-shaped composite pylons, each with a 300-meter radius and a height of 129.985 meters, which lean up to 22 meters from the pylon center in the backspan, provide structural support for the bridge. This bridge, which spans 2.8 kilometers (9,186 feet) and flawlessly incorporates remarkable engineering and design elements, connects a total road length.

The bridge is an essential route that joins the town of Okha on the mainland with the island of Beyt Dwarka, which was previously only reachable by boat. With a direct connection, travel times should be significantly reduced, making pilgrims and visitors more accessible.

The Sudarshan Setu, a four-lane cable-stayed bridge in Gujarat that connects Okha to Beyt Dwarka island, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With a length of 2.32 kilometers and a center 900-meter double-span cable-stayed section, the bridge is an outstanding feat of engineering. At a cost of Rs 979 crore, it is a large infrastructure project with a 2.45-kilometer approach road that is broad (27.20 meters) and 2.50-meter-wide walkways on both sides. After being called the "Signature Bridge" for a while, it was renamed "Sudarshan Setu," signifying a significant accomplishment. In addition to improving connectivity, the bridge represents India's dedication to ambitious and modern infrastructure development and grows to become a source of pride.