Marking the birth anniversary of engineer statesman Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, Engineer’s Day is celebrated in India on September 15 every year. Engineering is a profession that lays the foundation of sustainable development and modern life in society. From connecting roads of the rural and urban regions to building state-of-the-art structures throughout the country, engineers of India have been a cornerstone of sustainable development and growth in modern-day India.
Most noteworthy architectural marvels of India
On Engineer’s Day 2022, check out five of the most revolutionary structural marvels of India, which not only raised the bar for modern-day architecture but also aided sustainable development in the society.
Pambam Bridge, Tamil Nadu
Think about a structure built over a century ago, spanning 2 km and connecting mainland with an island. Well, this is our very own Pambam bridge of India.
The Pambam bridge is truly a world-class structure and the second longest bridge in India. It connects Rameshwaram island to the Mandapam town in the mainland. Not just this, the bridge opens from between to allow passage for ferry movement. Tourists still gather to witness the two leaves of the bridge raise from between, making it a truly awe-inspiring sight to venture.
Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Mumbai
Taking a leap from the second-longest sea bridge to the longest one, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is an absolute architectural behemoth which stands between the open sea of Mumbai. Peeking to a height of 413ft, the bridge is a 5.6 km long cable freeway, consisting of eight lanes to facilitate transportation.
Conceptualized back in 1999, it took almost a decade to complete the bridge. Moreover, world’s leading architects and engineers from different countries were involved in the construction project. This resulted to the creation of one of the most advanced and sturdy marvels of the nation.
Atal Tunnel, Himachal Pradesh
Certified as ‘World’s Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 Feet’, the Atal Tunnel is 9 km long, double-laned motorable tunnel. The route reduces the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 kms and shortens the drive time by a striking duration of seven hours!
The tunnel is not just responsible for saving crores of rupees worth of transportation costs but it also provides connectivity to remote areas of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh which earlier remained cut-off from the rest of India.
Statue of Unity, Gujarat
Statues, sculptures and giant idols have long been the ambassadors of their respective nations. Whether you talk about the much celebrated Lady Liberty of the USA or the Christ redeemer standing with open arms in Rio De Janeiro, huge figures have always been rendered iconic globally.
Talking about tall structures, we in India have the tallest of them all. The Statue of Unity which was built in the memory of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the greatest leaders of India, peaks to a hight of 182 metres. Being the tallest statue of the world, it can be seen from a distance of 7 kilometres. The astounding piece of architecture is built on a river island called Sadhu Bet which is on the banks of Narmada, near Vadodara.
Tehri Dam, Uttarakhand
Constructed over the Bhagirathi river, the Tehri dam is the highest dam and the most impressive dam in India. Reaching to a staggering height 260.5 metres the dam stretches over an area of 592 metres. The construction of the dam started back in 1978 and it was not completed till 2006 due to several complications in the project. However, the dam is considered one of the most significant ones due to several reasons.
The magnificent structure is a multipurpose river valley project that provides hydroelectric power and water supply not just to Uttarakhand but also to other nearby states. Moreover, it a centre for tourism and multiple water sports activities.
