With the much-awaited clearance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the state Government will soon commence its ambitious project under which a “suspension pedestrian bridge” connecting mainland Dwarka town and the Panchkui Island will be constructed.

The ASI authorities have also cleared the government’s proposal to develop the picturesque Panchkui Island. It is located at a strategic point facing the famous Dwarkadhish Temple where the Gomati river meets the Arabian Sea off the Jamnagar coast in Saurashtra.

In a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the ASI’s Vadodara Circle office, the Superintending Archaeologist informed the Gujarat Pavitra Vikas Board that a licence has been granted for the construction of the Sudama Setu Bridge and the development of the Panchkui Island under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

Confirming this, Gujarat Tourism Minister Jay Narayan Vyas told Newsline on Thursday that the clearance has paved the way for the government to undertake this project it had envisaged about three years ago. Along with this project, the work on development of the sprawling Dwarka temple complex will also be taken up, he said.

The plan involving all the three components – bridge construction, development of Panchkui Island into a tourist destination and the Dwarka temple complex – will cost nearly Rs 50 crore, the minister said. He added: “The entire project, when executed, will provide the much-needed boost to our efforts to promote religious tourism in Gujarat.”

A senior Tourism Department official said the project will be implemented jointly by the Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board and Reliance Industries. It may take about two years to complete the project, with the Ahmedabad-based CEPT University and the Board’s consultants having already prepared designs and plan layouts. A detailed soil and high tide data for the construction of the suspension bridge has also been worked out, he added.

The official said that a 130-metre long “hanging walk-way bridge” will be suspended on structural steel ropes to be supported by two large pylons at both ends. The ropes will be embedded in RCC piers placed at a distance from the pylons, he said.

When completed, the bridge will facilitate the prospective pilgrims a smooth access to the Panchkui Island — known for its five sweet water wells said to have been dug up by the Pandavas. At present, a large number of pilgrims have to reach this historic island by using countrymade...

“We have also chalked out a comprehensive plan to develop the Panchkui Island into an ideal tourist destination, fully exploiting the potential of its scenic beauty and combining it with the pilgrimage tourism of Lord Krsihna’s Dwarika Nagri. The island development will involve an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore,” the official said.

The island development plan includes food courts, amphitheatre, an open gallery displaying archaeological findings of historic Dwarka, special lighting of the island, a meditation centre, drinking water and public toilet facilities, and construction of retaining wall along the water edges.

The Dwarka temple complex development plan includes a public lounge for pilgrims, CCTV monitoring centre, information counter and foot wear stand, an open air theatre, locker facility for pilgrims, and public toilets and potable water facilities. ...

Bashir Pathan

http://www.indianexpress.com/columnist/bashirpathan/