The Grand New Setus of India

Bridges world-over are not just great architectural marvels – serving as landmarks of human progress in engineering, design, & innovation. Bridges, or Setus as we call them in India, literally ‘bridge’ people of various communities, create unity, connect cities, carry aspirations, enable transportation, and of course, also act as national symbols & tourist destinations. Here is a list of India’s Grand Setus:

Sudarshan Setu

The Sudarshan Setu stands as India’s lengthiest cable-stayed bridge, equipped with solar panels atop the footpath’s upper sections, producing one megawatt of electricity. Built at a cost of ₹978 crore, this four-lane bridge boasts 2.50-meter-wide footpaths on either side. It is adorned with verses from the Bhagavad Gita and depictions of Lord Krishna on both sides of the footpath.

Prior to the construction of the Okha-Beyt Dwarka Signature Bridge, pilgrims relied on boat transport to reach the Dwarkadhish Temple in Beyt, Dwarka. The bridge is poised to become a significant tourist attraction in the region.

Atal Setu

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also referred to as the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, stands as India’s longest sea bridge, spanning 21.8 km, with 16.5 km extending over the sea. It is anticipated to accommodate the movement of over 70,000 vehicles daily.

Speaking about the bridge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “The inauguration of Atal Setu shows India’s infrastructural prowess and underscores the country’s trajectory towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’. This project employed around 17,000 labourers and 1,500 engineers while also creating employment opportunities in the transport and construction industries.”

Pamban Bridge

India’s inaugural vertical-lift bridge, the Pamban Railway Bridge, which serves as a vital link between the mainland and Rameswaram Island, is set to begin functioning soon. The new Pamban bridge is being constructed parallel to the existing one under the supervision of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, with an estimated expenditure of Rs 535 crore. Presently, the previous Pamban bridge is not operational, as rail traffic was suspended in December 2022 due to red alerts issued by sensors.

The forthcoming bridge will comprise 100 spans of 18.3 meters each and one navigational span of 63 meters. It will stand 3.0 meters higher than the current structure, providing a navigational air clearance of 22.0 meters above sea level.

Chenab Bridge

The arch bridge spans from Bakkal to Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, serving as a vital connection from Katra to Banihal. Towering at a height of 1,178 feet above the riverbed, it surpasses Paris’ iconic tourist landmark, the Eiffel Tower, by 35 meters. This bridge is an integral component of the Rs 35,000 crore Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, aimed at enhancing connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir by navigating through complex topography and challenging weather conditions. As the world’s highest bridge, it has undergone rigorous testing for high-velocity winds, extreme temperatures, seismic activity, and hydrological impacts from rising water levels.

Brahmaputra Bridge

The Brahmaputra Bridge, currently under construction, will establish a connection between the south and north banks of the state capital, Guwahati. This significant construction project is valued at Rs 2,608.68 crores.

While Guwahati already boasts a bridge spanning the Brahmaputra, this new bridge, situated a few kilometers away, will offer an alternative route for travelers heading to the state capital. Assam’s Chief Minister has announced, “The Assam Government will cover 50% of the land costs for the landmark project spanning 121 kilometers, aimed at alleviating congestion in the capital. The total project cost is estimated at Rs 5,800 crores.”

Bhupen Hazarika Setu

The Bhupen Hazarika Setu, commonly known as the Dhola–Sadiya Bridge, is a beam bridge in India that links the northeastern states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It spans the Lohit River, a significant tributary of the Brahmaputra River, connecting the village of Dhola in the south (Tinsukia District) to Sadiya in the north. This bridge represents the first permanent road connection between northern Assam and eastern Arunachal Pradesh. Measuring 9.15 kilometers (5.69 mi) in length, it holds the distinction of being India’s longest bridge over water.

Constructed with the swift mobilization of India’s defense assets in mind, particularly in response to incursions by the Chinese Army, the Dhola–Sadiya Bridge is engineered to accommodate the weight of 60-tonne (130,000-pound) tanks like the Indian Army’s Arjun and T-72 main battle tanks. In light of the ongoing dispute along the Line of Actual Control, where China challenges India’s claim to Arunachal Pradesh, the bridge serves as a significant tactical asset in this geopolitical scenario.