Okha, India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a momentous occasion on Sunday as he inaugurated the Sudarshan Setu, India’s longest cable-stayed bridge, linking the Okha mainland with Beyt Dwarka. The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, underscoring the significance of the infrastructure milestone.
Distinguished by its innovative design, the bridge features a footpath adorned with verses from the Bhagavad Gita and depictions of Lord Krishna, adding a spiritual dimension to its architectural marvel. Additionally, the bridge is equipped with solar panels, harnessing renewable energy to generate one megawatt of electricity, embodying a blend of tradition and modernity.
The construction of the 2.32 km bridge, with an estimated cost of Rs 979 crore, holds profound importance for local residents and pilgrims visiting the revered Dwarkadhish Temple. Boasting a width of 27.20 meters and 2.50-meter-wide footpaths on both sides, the Sudarshan Setu promises enhanced connectivity and convenience for commuters.
Situated approximately 30 km from Dwarka town, Beyt Dwarka, an island near the Okha port, serves as a gateway to the famed Dwarkadhish temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. Renamed from its previous moniker, the ‘Signature Bridge’, the Sudarshan Setu symbolizes a new chapter in Gujarat’s infrastructure landscape.
Prime Minister Modi, ahead of the inauguration, expressed anticipation for the bridge’s role in Gujarat’s growth trajectory, affirming its transformative impact on connectivity. Through a statement on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi highlighted the Sudarshan Setu as a testament to progress and development.
Initiated by the Centre in 2017, the bridge addresses longstanding challenges faced by devotees traveling between Okha and Beyt Dwarka, replacing the reliance on boat transport. Aligned with PM Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, the Sudarshan Setu is poised to catalyze tourism, streamline commute, and enhance access to essential services, including healthcare.
In addition to the Sudarshan Setu, PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various projects across Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, and Porbandar districts. These include the electrification of a 533-km railway line and the inauguration of two offshore pipelines under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas at Vadinar.
Further underscoring the government’s commitment to healthcare infrastructure, PM Modi will inaugurate five All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) campuses in Rajkot (Gujarat), Bathinda (Punjab), Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), Kalyani (West Bengal), and Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh), signaling a comprehensive approach towards holistic development.
