Cable-stayed bridge on river Gomati inaugurated

An iron suspension bridge, envisaged on lines of the famous Lakshman Jhula in Rishikesh, has been erected over the Gomati river at the ancient temple town of Dwarka in Gujarat.

The cable-stayed pedestrian bridge ‘Sudama Setu’, which has come as a boon for pilgrims, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Saturday. It has been constructed on lines of Lakshman Jhula over the Ganga river in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, by the state government in collaboration with Reliance Industries (RIL) under public-private partnership. The structure, 166 metres in length and 4.2 metres in width, has been constructed at a cost of Rs 7.70 crore, said Parimal Nathwani, Corporate Group President of RIL and an Independent MP of Rajya Sabha. 

‘Sudama Setu’, named after a childhood friend of Lord Krishna, connects Jagat Mandir in mainland Dwarka with Panchnad Tirth. Pilgrims had been using boats to cross the river to reach Panchnad which has five sweet water wells. The new bridge will now facilitate a smooth travel for them and also boost tourism in the area, he said.

Panchnad Tirth, an island popularly called ‘Panch Kui’, has mythological significance and is believed to be associated with Pandavas, the heroes of epic Mahabharat.