November 30, 2022 – The foundation of Bajrang Setu, an alternative to the iconic Laxman Jhula bridge, will be completed within 20 days. Till now, 72 percent work has been done. After this, the magnificent structure of this 132.30-meter-long bridge with glass pavement will start taking shape. Public Works Department Narendranagar claims the bridge construction will be completed in the next six months.
On April 16, 2022, The 92-year-old Laxmanjhula bridge was closed, which had become dilapidated in terms of security. Due to this, Tourists and locals started facing problems commuting between Swargashram and Tapovan area. As a result, they had to go via Ramjhula, which is two km from Lakshman Jhula.
As per the information received from the Public Works Department, Narendranagar, the pile foundation of the bridge is being prepared with the state-of-the-art hydraulic piling rig machine. Piling is to be done at 42 places on the bridge. Of this, 21 pile points have been made towards Tapovan and 21 points towards the Swargashram area. Piling has been done at 20 points towards Tapovan and 10 points towards the Swargashram area. Now work has to be done on 11 piling points towards Tapovan and one towards Swargashram. After this, columns will stand. It will take about 20 more days to complete this process. Once the foundation work is complete, the department will prepare the bridge’s superstructure in the next six months.
Walking on the transparent glass will be exciting.
The height of Bajrang Setu will be 57 meters. There will be a 5-meter double lane in between for two-wheelers and light four-wheelers. A one-and-a-half meter footpath will be on both sides of the bridge for pedestrians. The pavement will be made of 65 mm thick glass. Tourists will be thrilled to see the waves of the Ganges below them. The shape of Kedarnath Dham will be given on the towers of Bajrang Setu.
Another great piece of engineering
Janaki Setu and Bajrang Setu have been the dream projects of Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal. In November 2020, the then Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated Janki Setu. Tourists were amazed to see Janaki Setu, a magnificent engineering specimen. The latest technology is also being used in the construction of Bajrang Setu. This will be the first glass pavement bridge in North India.
The piling work of the bridge will be completed in the next 20 days. After this, with the formation of the column, the structure of the bridge will start being prepared. The construction work of the bridge will be completed by the scheduled deadline of July 2023.
Ashutosh Sharma, Executive Engineer, Lonivi Narendranagar.