Page 36 - NIS English 1-15 Oct, 2026

SPECIAL REPORT

A Year Journey of Good Governance

Giving momentum to the construction sector in ‘New India’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25-year journey at the helm of governance is marked by what
can be termed ‘India’s Architectural Marvels.’ The numerous grand structures built across
the country during these years present a glorious picture of India’s evolving development
trajectory. From bridges and tunnels to airports, ports, urban transport systems, the Parliament,
monuments, museums, pilgrimage sites, and smart cities—these projects have overhauled
connectivity, convenience, heritage, and the future. It gives the construction sector a pivotal role
in the grand architectural and developmental blueprint of ‘New India.’

1. Bogibeel and Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Setu – 3. Chenab and Anji Khad: Lifeline of the Kashmir
Strategic Connectivity for the Northeast: The 4.94 Rail Network: Standing 359 meters above
km long Bogibeel Bridge over the Brahmaputra the riverbed and spanning 1,315 meters, the
is India’s longest combined rail-road bridge. Chenab Rail Bridge is the world’s highest railway
Inaugurated on December 25, 2018, this bridge arch bridge. Its inauguration on June 6, 2025,
reduced the road distance between Dibrugarh completed the connectivity for a challenging
and Itanagar by 150 km and the rail distance section of the Kashmir rail line. The Anji
by approximately 200 km. Meanwhile, the 9.15 Khad Bridge—India’s first cable-stayed railway
km long Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Setu established bridge—was also commissioned on the same day;
a permanent road link between Upper Assam this 725-meter-long bridge features a Y-shaped
and eastern Arunachal Pradesh, reducing the pylon rising 193 meters high.
inter-state travel distance by about 165 km. Both
bridges have been designed to facilitate military 4. New Pamban Bridge: Modern Rail
movement. Connectivity Over the Sea: India’s first vertical-lift
railway sea bridge has restored rail connectivity
2. Atal Setu and Sudarshan Setu – New to Rameswaram. Built at a cost of ₹550 crore,
Dimensions in Maritime Connectivity: Mumbai’s the bridge features a 72.5-meter navigational span
21.8 km long, six-lane Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri- capable of lifting to 17 meters. It incorporates
Nhava Sheva Atal Setu is India’s longest bridge special-coated stainless steel reinforcement to
and longest sea bridge. It has reduced the travel ensure long-term protection against the marine
time between Sewri and Nhava Sheva from nearly environment.
two hours to just 20 minutes. Gujarat’s 2.32 km
long Sudarshan Setu is India’s longest cable-stayed 5. Atal Tunnel and Sela Tunnel: Year-round
bridge, providing a permanent road link to Beyt Connectivity for Border Areas: The 9.02 km long
Dwarka. Its walkways feature verses from the Atal Tunnel provides year-round connectivity
Bhagavad Gita, and the deck is equipped with to Lahaul-Spiti and has reduced the distance
solar panels boasting a capacity of approximately between Manali and Sarchu by 46 km. The
1 megawatt. Sela Tunnel ensures all-weather connectivity to
Tawang on a route otherwise prone to heavy
snowfall; the tunnel itself is 1,555 meters long,
complemented by 8.6 km of access roads.

34 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || Oct 1-15, 2026