Basohli, Jammu & Kashmir, April 18, 2025 – The Atal Setu, a 592-meter-long cable-stayed bridge over the Ravi River in Kathua district, continues to transform connectivity among Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab, driving tourism, trade, and regional unity. Inaugurated on December 24, 2015, by then-Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, this engineering marvel, named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, underscores Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to prioritizing infrastructure in historically underserved regions.
Built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at a cost of Rs 200 crore, Atal Setu connects Basohli in Jammu & Kashmir to Dunehra in Punjab, reducing travel distances significantly—Pathankot from 100 km to 45 km and Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh from 180 km to 45 km. Designed by Canadian firm McElhanney Consulting Services (formerly Infinity Engineering) and approved by IIT Delhi, the bridge features 96 cables sourced from Japan and Spain, an 88-meter tower, and earthquake-resistant technology, ensuring durability in the seismically active region. As North India’s first and the country’s fourth cable-stayed bridge, it joins the ranks of Kolkata’s Hooghly Bridge, Allahabad’s Naini Bridge, and Mumbai’s Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link.
Strategically vital, Atal Setu facilitates rapid military deployment along the Pathankot-Doda axis, enhancing national security by enabling swift troop and equipment movement to Kashmir during emergencies. Its role in fostering economic growth is equally significant, boosting tourism by improving access to scenic destinations like Basohli and supporting trade through seamless interstate connectivity. The bridge has also spurred local development, creating jobs and encouraging cross-border commerce.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister Jitendra Singh have praised the bridge as a testament to Modi’s vision of inclusive development, addressing the neglect faced by border areas under previous administrations. The BRO’s efficiency, now fully under the Ministry of Defence, has been instrumental in delivering such projects, with Atal Setu exemplifying India’s advancements in infrastructure and regional integration.
