This time, a new destination for adventure awaits devotees visiting Rishikesh for the Char Dham Yatra. The construction of the Bajrang Setu in Muni Ki Reti has been completed, offering tourists the opportunity to gaze upon the waves of the Ganges while walking across a glass floor. Technical inspections of the bridge are scheduled for April 24 and 25. The bridge is expected to open to the general public shortly thereafter.
Construction of the Bajrang Setu was initiated in 2022 by the Public Works Department (PWD), Narendra Nagar Division, in the vicinity of the historic Lakshman Jhula bridge. Built at an approximate cost of ₹69.20 crore, the bridge spans 132.30 meters in length and is five meters wide. Transparent glass walkways—each 1.5 meters wide and 65 mm thick—have been constructed on both sides of the bridge.
The entrance gates on both ends of the bridge feature architectural designs inspired by the Kedarnath Dham temple. The bridge will also accommodate the movement of light four-wheeled vehicles. Following the indefinite closure of the Lakshman Jhula bridge, this new structure is being viewed as a major alternative to the historic landmark.
The construction work on the bridge has now concluded. Technical inspections—including tests to assess its resistance to wind and temperature fluctuations—will be conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday. Department officials have stated that the bridge’s load-bearing capacity will be tested the following week. Traffic movement across the bridge is set to commence once all necessary formalities have been completed.
**The 92-Year-Old Lakshman Jhula Bridge Closed in April 2022**
On April 16, 2022, the historic Lakshman Jhula bridge was closed indefinitely on safety grounds. According to a report submitted by IIT Roorkee, the bridge’s suspension cables had become severely dilapidated. Given the continuous volume of traffic, there was a risk that the bridge could collapse at any moment. Consequently, the District Magistrate (DM) of Tehri issued an order mandating the indefinite closure of the bridge.
Technical inspections of the bridge are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Additionally, the bridge’s load-bearing capacity will be tested next week. Movement will commence after all formalities have been completed.
