What is the story about?
An ambitious engineering project - the Bajrang Setu - is being touted as the next major attraction in the already booming pilgrimage destination of Rishikesh.
Reportedly India's first glass door suspension bridge, the Bajrang Setu stands suspended over the river Ganga, and is currently in the final stages of its completion. A round of technical testing is pending before the bridge is opened to the public.
The Bajrang Setu is an ambitious project
The Bajrang Setu project has an estimated cost of around ₹70 crore and stands 132-metres long. It features a glass walkway for pedestrians with a sturdy central lane to allow light vehicles, states a News18 report.Expected to turn into a tourism landmark on its inauguration, the Bajrang Setu also boasts of utilitarian value by improving connectivity between the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway and the Yamkeshwar region.
A boost to local businesses
The Bajrang Setu also happens to be located a stone's throw away from the site of the iconic Laxman Jhula, which stands closed since 2022, following safety concerns. The Bajrang Setu then, has the potential to re-inject tourism allure back into the zone, offering visitors the experience of traversing the glass walkways with a direct view of the Ganga flowing beneath. The Bajrang Setu is also expected to breathe life back into the local businesses of the area, which did take a hit after the closing of the Laxman Jhula.Bajrang Setu to up Rishikesh's tourism in-flow
Rishikesh has already been repeatedly touted as the 'Yoga capital of the world' as well as the 'adventure capital of India', with tourists flocking to the scenic locale for a mix of spiritual pursuits as well as thrill-inducing adventures. Meditation camps and Yoga retreats populate Rishikesh by the dozens, with added options of white-water rafting, bungee jumping and trekking also posing fruitful ways to spend one's time there.The Bajrang Setu is likely to be fully opened to the public by April, as per an ANI agency report.
