Sudarshan Setu: India’s Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge

Context: 

Recently, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Sudarshan Setu connecting Okha mainland and Beyt Dwarka island in Gujarat.

About Sudarshan Setu

• It is a Signature Bridge is technically a sea-link, a first for Gujarat. 
• Sudarshan Setu Length: Its a 4 lane bridge spans 2.32 km, with a central double span cable-stayed portion measuring 900 meters and a 2.45 km long approach road. Therefore its total length is 4,772 meters.
• Project cost:  Rs 978 crore, was funded by the Union government.
• Bridge is a  part of National Highway 51 that runs along the sea coast of Saurashtra.
• Geographical Location: Located off Gujarat, situated in the Gulf of Kutch, the okha town of devbhumi Dwarka district of mainland Gujarat to bet Dwarka. ( After the Union Territory of Diu (40sqKm), located at Una coast in Gir Somnath, Bet Dwarka(36sqKm) is the second largest island off Gujarat coast.)
• Its pillars are decorated with verses of Bhagavad Gita and images of Lord Krishna.
• It also has solar panels installed on the upper portions of the footpath, generating one megawatt of electricity.

Significance Sudarshan Setu

• Reduce the time of devotees: Sudarshan Setu will ease the transportation and significantly reduce the time of devotees traveling between Dwarka and Beyt-Dwarka. 
• Major tourist attraction:  This iconic bridge will also serve as a major tourist attraction of Devbhumi Dwarka. 
• All-weather road-connectivity : The Signature Bridge will provide all-weather road-connectivity to the island. 

News Source: IE

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