At the very outset I, congratulate our Prime Minister Sh Narender Modi ji, a renowned, visionary, an eminent and iconic global personality for inaugurating Chenab Railway bridge, the one highest in the world, and dedicating it to the public on 6 June 2025. The Chenab Railway bridge is not only a bridge but a landmark in the history of science and technology, life line for every Indian waiting for all weather approach to Kashmir and an uninterrupted link between Kanya Kumari and Kashmir and the long cherished dream of many generations. Really speaking the Chenab Railway bridge is an another jewel in the crown of Bharat mata. But for the resolve and dedication of PM Narender Modi this Herculean job could not have been be completed within a record time.
The Cable stayed bridge Atal Setu over river Ravi at Basohli is unique in many ways;
- The 592 meter span Atal Setu at Basohli is the first structure In India named after Sh. Atal Behari Vajpai who proved saviour for the humanity stranded in the RSD waters.
- It was inaugurated by late Sh. Manohar Parikar the former defence Minister of India on 24 Dec. 2015.
- It is blend of both modern design and technology.
- It is of its first kind in north India and fourth in the nation.
- It is situated at the confluence of three states Punjab, Himachal Pardesh and Jammu and Kashmir and the gate way not o Jammu and Kasmir but to the world of beauty and tourism.
- Its design and technology resembles with the one Vidya Sagar bridge over Hoogly joining Kolkata city with Hawrah, Bandra Worli bridge over sea in Mumbai, Atal Setu also known as the Mumbai Trans Harbour MTHL with 16.8 K.mts over sea.
- The design of Atal Setu Basohli also resembles with the Golden Gates bridge of California between Sanfransisco bay and the Pacific Ocean.
. Like the Golden Gates, Atal Setu is also counted among the wonders in terms of design and technology. For its unique structure and technology, it has become a tourist destination in itself where thousands of the tourists from different states especially the students throng Basohli to have first-hand knowledge and information about the design of the bridge.
Atal Setu, a life line for lacks of living in Punjab, Himachal Pardesh and Jammu and Kashmir is not only a bridge but a link which joins Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. It is not only the gate way to Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh UTs only but it also provides easy and shortest approach to the world of tourism spread over entire district Doda, Udhampur and Kathua of Jammu and Kashmir UT. At the time of inauguration of Atal Setu on 25 th Dec. 2015 it was believed that the long awaited bridge will definitely change the scenario of the entire Jammu region in general and that of Basohli, Bani, Billawer, Doda and Kishtwad districts in particular and will usher in an era of progress and development by diverting interstate vehicular traffic via Atal Setu.Through Atal Setu the distance between Punjab and Himachal Pardesh , district Doda, Kishtwad, UdhamPur, Kathua and Mata Vaisno Devi has been curtailed to less than half as before. Basohli, being situated at the eighteenth centaury trade rout and also being the confluence of three states, is an ideal place to develop into a trade corridor and a dry port from where the trade with other states of the country in general and between three adjoining states in particular can flourish. Basohli can be developed into a trade center where The produce from Bani Basohli Bhaderwah, Doda and Kishtwad and from Chamba , Kangra and Pathankot districts of Himachal Pardesh and Punjab can be marketed with ease and comfort. It is pertinent to mention here that Basohli has got good connectivity with other states via Atal Setu. While Atal Setu is a tourist spot in itself, district Doda, Kishatwad, Udhampur and Kathua districts are gifted with the wealth of beauty by the bountiful Nature, with the enormous potential of offering multiple modes of tourism suiting to the different tastes of the tourists. It will not be an exaggeration if I comment that the panoramic and beautiful landscapes of these places are not second to any other place in both the UTs. But due to the non utilization of the Atal Setu, the tourists and the devotees are compelled to opt the Pathankot Jammu rout to reach Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and picturesque valleys of Doda, which costs them more than double in terms of time and money. Traveling to these destinations via Atal Setu is both short and cheap.The tourism industry of Doda Kathua and Udhampur districts depends much upon the utilization of Atal setu, as it will provide many opportunities of employment in the field of Hotel industry, tour n travel agencies boating, water sports and other small business. Atal Setu will not only generate new avenues of development and employment but will boost the trade and tourism of these districts of Jammu region. It is the prime duty of the UT government to utilize the facilities of the Atal Setu to translate the dreams of late Atal Behari Vajpayee ji in reality. The trade, tourism, employment and prosperity of the region depends how better and the extent we put Atal Setu in use. If the attitude of the government towards the development of the region remains un favourable and biased the entire time and money spent on the construction of the bridge will go waste..
Shiv Kumar Padha a social activist Basohli
