India recently got its largest cable-stayed bridge in the form of the Sudarshan Setu in Dwarka. Formerly known as the Okha–Beyt Dwarka Signature Bridge, the foundation stone for the bridge between Okha and Beyt Dwarka was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 7, 2017. Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari had approved the construction of the bridge in 2016. Here is all you need to know about the recently inaugurated bridge.
Sudarshan Setu inauguration
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 25, 2025, inaugurated the Sudarshan Setu, which connects the Okha mainland and the Beyt Dwarka island in the Gulf of Kutch. “Delighted to inaugurate Sudarshan Setu today – a bridge that connects lands and people. It stands vibrantly as a testament of our commitment to development and progress,” PM Modi posted on micro-blogging website X after the inauguration.
Watch the video of Sudarshan Setu inauguration here.
Sudarshan Setu: Key facts
| Name | Sudarshan Setu/ Okha–Beyt Dwarka Signature Bridge |
| Location | Okha and Beyt Dwarka, Gujarat, India |
| Type | Cable stayed |
| Length | 2.32 km (2,452 metre) |
| Lanes | 4 |
| Project cost | Rs 980 |
| Year of project approval | 2016 |
| Date of foundation laying | October 7, 2017 |
| Date of inauguration | February 25, 2024 |
| Inaugurated by | Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| Construction time | 6 years |
| Carries | Motor vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles |
| Cable stay span | 900 metre |
| Approach span | 1,420 metre (26x50m + 12x10m) |
| Retaining walls | 3,483 metre |
| Developed by | Ministry of Road Transport and Highways |
| Builder | SP Singla Constructions |
Sudarshan Setu is India’s largest cable-stayed bridge
Spanning around 2.32 km, the Sudarshan Setu is the longest cable-stayed bridge in India. For the uninitiated, cable-stayed bridges are a subcategory of suspended structures. The cable-stayed bridges are composed of a central tower and a deck supported by cables radiating from the tower to the deck. This design allows for longer spans and reduces the number of materials needed compared to traditional suspension bridges. The 4-lane bridge boasts of 2.50-metre-wide walkways on both sides.
Construction cost
The Sudarshan Setu has been built at a cost of around Rs 980 crore.
Sudarshan Setu design and fetaures
The Sudarshan Setu boasts a unique design, featuring a footpath adorned with verses from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and images of Lord Krishna on both sides. It also has solar panels installed on the upper portions of the footpath, generating one megawatt of electricity. The solar panels installed on the bridge will provide electricity for the illumination of the bridge at night.
Sudarshan Setu: Impact on connectivity
The newly opened bridge will ease the transportation and significantly reduce the time of devotees travelling between Dwarka and Beyt-Dwarka. Before the bridge’s construction, pilgrims had to rely on boat transport to reach Beyt Dwarka. This iconic bridge will also serve as a major tourist attraction of Devbhumi Dwarka.
Associated with Lord Krishna and his legacy, Dwarka city in Gujarat is believed to be submerged underwater.
The new bridge will replace the boats as the new mode of transportation for 2 million people who visit Beyt Dwarka every year, in addition to 8,500 local people who will benefit from this project. Tourists who once sailed 5 hours on boats to Beyt Dwarka can now straightaway take the bridge. It will cut down their travel time by 3 hours.
The bridge will also provide an affordable and sustainable alternative to individuals who cannot afford boat cruises. It will facilitate the transportation of local residents, who frequently encounter numerous challenges when commuting during the night.
Sudarshan Setu photos
(All images, including the featured image, are sourced from the Twitter handle of PM Narendra Modi)
FAQs
Where is the Sudarshan Setu located?
The Sudarshan Setu is located in Dwarka city of Gujarat. It connects Okha with Beyt Dwarka.
Is the Signature Bridge and the Sudarshan Setu the same?
Yes, Sudarshan Setu is the new name for the Signature Bridge in Gujarat. The bridge should not be confused with the Signature Bridge in Delhi.
Which places does the Sudarshan Setu connect?
The 2.32-km long cable-stayed bridge connects the Beyt Dwarka island to mainland Okha in Gujarat's Devbhumi Dwarka district.
What is the length of the Sudarshan Setu?
The length of the Sudarshan Setu is 2,452 metre.
What is the construction cost of the Sudarshan Setu?
The construction cost of the Sudarshan Setu is Rs 980 crore.
Who is the builder of the Sudarshan Setu?
The builder of the Sudarshan Setu is SP Singla Constructions.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
