Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (February 25) inaugurated the Sudarshan Setu, a four-lane cable-stayed bridge connecting Okha to Beyt Dwarka island in Gujarat. Built at a cost of Rs 979 crore, the bridge showcases a width of 27.20 meters, with 2.50-meter-wide footpaths on both sides.
Sudarshan Setu Bridge design
The bridge features a visually captivating design, showcasing steel pylons and cables arranged in a fan-like pattern. Its aesthetic allure has captured the attention of the nation, establishing it as a prominent landmark in Dwarka.
Serving as a vital link, the bridge connects the mainland town of Okha with Beyt Dwarka island, a location previously accessible solely by boat. This direct connection is poised to substantially decrease travel time, providing improved accessibility for both pilgrims and tourists.
Sudarshan Setu Bridge key features
The cable-stayed bridge, characterised by steel pylons arranged in a fan configuration, boasts a deck composed of composite steel-reinforced concrete. With a substantial width of 27.2 meters (89 ft), the bridge accommodates two lanes in each direction and 2.5 meters (8 ft) wide footpaths on both sides.
Enhancing its sustainability, solar panels with a capacity of 1 MW are strategically installed atop the footpath shade. Stretching across a remarkable total length of 2,320 meters (7,612 ft), it holds the prestigious title of being the longest cable-stayed bridge in India.
The bridge features three spans, including an extraordinary 500-meter-long middle span, the lengthiest in India, along with six additional spans ranging from 50 to 500 meters. The approaches on the Okha and Beyt Dwarka sides measure 770 meters and 650 meters, respectively.
The bridge’s structural integrity is supported by two A-shaped composite pylons, standing at a towering height of 129.985 meters, with a radius of 300 meters, leaning in the backspan up to 22 meters from the center of the pylon. Connecting a total road length of 2.8 kilometers (9,186 ft), this bridge seamlessly integrates impressive engineering and design features.