Dwarka (Gujarat): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 25 dedicated the four-lane Sudarshan Setu, a cable-stayed bridge stretching 2.32 km between Okha and Bet Dwarka in the Devbhumi Dwarka district. This is the longest cable-stayed bridge in India.
Spanning in the length of 4.77 km, the bridge, earlier known as ‘Signature Bridge’ has been built at a cost of ₹978 crore. The bridge links Okha town in the Devbhumi Dwarka with Bet Dwarka island in the Gulf of Kutch. This is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the country and is situated about 30 km from Dwarka town, where the renowned Dwarkadhish temple dedicated to Lord Krishna is located.
According to official statements from the Devbhumi Dwarka administration, the bridge covers a distance of 2.32 kilometers, featuring a central double-span cable-stayed section spanning 900 meters, along with a 2.45-kilometer-long approach road.
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The sealink, Gujarat’s first, has been constructed by the national highway division in the roads and buildings department of Gujarat. The bridge was constructed as part of National Highway 51 and funded by the Centre.
The 4.77-km-long sealink has a 2.32 km (2,320 metres) bridge section, including a 900 metres (0.90 km) cable-stayed section, the longest in India. The 2.32-km-long superstructure of the bridge is supported by 32 piers, including two towers rising 18 metres above the sea.
The cable-stayed structure will allow navigation of fishing boats and other vessels. The cable-stayed section in Sudarshan Setu is longer than the one in Bandra-Worli Sea Link in Mumbai. Sudarshan Setu has a 1.21-km (1,215 metres) approach on the Bet Dwarka side and a 1.23-km (1,237 metres) approach on the Okha side.
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Prior to construction of the bridge, the devotees visiting the temple at Bet Dwarka had to travel only during the day by boat. The bridge will now allow them to travel at all times, officials said.
