India’s Landmark Bridges

Spanning over turbulent rivers, deep gorges, and restless seas, India’s bridges stand as silent testimonies to the country’s engineering ambition. They connect not just towns and regions, but people, cultures, and economies, often in places where geography had long dictated isolation.

1. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri–Nhava Sheva Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link)
- India’s longest sea bridge: 16.5 km over sea + 5.5 km on land.
- Cost: ₹17,843 crore.
- Purpose: Reduce Mumbai’s traffic burden, improve safety, boost tourism and trade.
- Built with advanced construction and safety systems.

2. Chenab Bridge (Jammu & Kashmir)
- World’s highest railway arch bridge at 359 m above Chenab River.
- 35 m taller than the Eiffel Tower.
- Length: 1,315 m; lifespan: 120 years.
- Cost: ₹1,486 crore.
- Designed to withstand winds up to 260 km/h.
- Key part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Link.

3. New Pamban Bridge (Tamil Nadu)
- India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge.
- Length: 2.07 km with a 72.5 m lift span rising 17 m for ship passage.
- Cost: ₹700+ crore.
- Built with stainless reinforcement, protective coatings, and space for a second line.
- Overcame cyclones, seismic risks, and tidal challenges.

4. Dhola–Sadiya Bridge (Bhupen Hazarika Setu, Assam–Arunachal Pradesh)
- Length: 9.15 km across Lohit River.
- Strategic design: Can bear 60-tonne military tanks (Arjun, T-72).
- First permanent road link between northern Assam and eastern Arunachal Pradesh.

5. Anji Khad Bridge (Jammu & Kashmir)
- India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge.
- Height: 331 m above Anji River valley; span: 725 m.
- Features: Inverted Y-shaped pylon (193 m), 96 cables, 8,200 tonnes of steel.
- Built in rugged Himalayan terrain with slope-stabilisation measures.
- Completed in just 11 months.

Broader Impact
- Bridges reshape economies, connectivity, and tourism.
- Examples: Bogibeel Bridge, New Saraighat Bridge (Assam), Digha–Sonpur Bridge (Bihar).
- They embody innovation, resilience, and India’s drive to overcome geography.
- Serve as symbols of nation-building and engineering ambition.

Key Takeaway
India’s bridges are not just infrastructure—they are statements of intent, connecting people, cultures, and economies while showcasing engineering excellence against formidable odds.