India is a country with a rich history and culture, but also a nation that is constantly innovating and developing. In recent years, India has witnessed the completion of some remarkable engineering projects that showcase its technical prowess and vision. Here are 10 of them:
- Atal Tunnel
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The Atal Tunnel is the world’s longest above-ground highway tunnel. It connects Manali to Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti Valley, cutting travel distance by 46 kilometres and time by 4-5 hours. The tunnel was named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and opened in 2020. It is a remarkable engineering achievement because it was constructed in difficult terrain and weather circumstances.
- Sea Link between Bandra and Worli
The Bandra-Worli Sea Link is a cable-stayed bridge that spans the Arabian Sea between the Mumbai communities of Bandra and Worli. It is one of India’s longest bridges, measuring 5.6 km in length. The construction of this bridge required the adoption of unique methods to deal with the coastal environment and geological conditions. The bridge also has seismic arresters, which allow it to withstand earthquakes with Richter magnitudes of up to 7.0.
- Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel
With a length of 11.2 kilometres, the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel is India’s longest railway tunnel. It is located in the Himalayan Pir Panjal Range and connects Banihal in Jammu with Qazigund in Kashmir. The tunnel, which opened in 2013, has greatly decreased travel time between Jammu and Srinagar. The tunnel was built utilising the New Austrian tunnelling method and incorporates cutting-edge safety features.
- Dhola-Sadiya Bridge
With a length of 9.15 kilometres, the Dhola-Sadiya Bridge is India’s longest road bridge. It connects Dhola in Assam to Sadiya in Arunachal Pradesh by crossing the Brahmaputra River. It serves as a major transit link for the Indian Army and has opened up new economic and tourism prospects in the region. The bridge was built with cutting-edge technology and engineering approaches to withstand enormous loads and natural disasters.
- Chenab Bridge
The Indian Railways is building the Chenab Bridge, which is anticipated to be finished soon. When completed, it would be the world’s highest railway bridge, connecting Bakkal and Kauri in Jammu & Kashmir. At a height of 359 metres above the Chenab River, it will be a 1.315-kilometer-long steel arch construction supported by piers. The bridge will be erected in difficult terrain and weather circumstances, with blast-proof steel and concrete pillars.
- Bogibeel Bridge
The Bogibeel Bridge is a combined road and rail bridge in Assam that spans the Brahmaputra River and is India’s longest rail-cum-road bridge, measuring 4.94 kilometres in length. The bridge, which opened in 2018, features a double-decker structure and is designed to endure natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. Aesthetic features of the bridge include LED lighting and ornamental arches.
- Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge
Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge, which opened in 2020, is a cable-stayed bridge that spans Hyderabad’s Durgam Cheruvu lake. It is suspended by cables from a single 49-meter-tall pylon. Because of the bridge’s unusual design and construction, advanced engineering techniques and materials, such as high-performance concrete and corrosion-resistant steel, were necessary.
- Statue of Unity
The Statue of Unity is a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel placed on the Narmada River in Gujarat. It is the highest statue in the world, standing 182 metres tall and visible from a 7-kilometer radius. The statue was dedicated in 2018 and includes a museum, a viewing room, a food court, and a memorial garden. The statue honours Patel, the first deputy prime minister and home minister of independent India and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Kolkata Metro Under Hooghly River
In a first for India, the Kolkata metro recently completed a trial run 13 metres below the river bed and 33 metres below ground level under the Hooghly river. The metro tunnel is part of the East-West Metro corridor project, which will connect the railway stations of Howrah and Sealdah. The tunnel was constructed with the help of a tunnel boring machine and has advanced safety measures such as fire detection and suppression systems.
- Auroville Dome or Matrimandir
The Auroville Dome, popularly known as the Matrimandir, is a huge golden dome in Auroville, Tamil Nadu, encircled by twelve pedestals. It is both a spiritual centre and a symbol of universal peace. The dome is embellished with gold discs that reflect sunlight and provide an eye-catching effect. A meditation hall with the world’s largest optically flawless glass globe is located inside the dome. Over the course of 37 years, volunteers from all over the world used various engineering techniques to build the dome.
Conclusion
These are some of the recent engineering marvels of India that demonstrate the country’s progress and potential in various fields. They are not only functional and useful, but also aesthetically pleasing and inspiring. They are a testament to the skill and dedication of the engineers who designed and constructed them.