A SNEAK PEAK INTO THE MAKING OF ATAL SETHU
Bridges become frames for looking at the world around us; as rightly said, stands true when we look up with pride at the recently built mega structure Atal Sethu. Colourful streaks lit up the waters of the River Mandovi as the very first lot of traffic crossed the Atal Sethu, the 3rd Longest Cable Bridge of India. Just one look at this massive structure could make us wonder in awe on how this beautiful structure was built and that too in style!
We, the students of STD XII at Mushtifund Aryaan Higher Secondary School, had the honour and privilege to meet the designer of this phenomenal creation, Mr. Raj Kumar. He was warmly greeted and welcomed to our Institute by the Director, Mr. Vyankatesh Prabhudesai.
“How do you hold a structure up in the air?” his first question to us intrigued all of us so much that we were only more eager to hear what followed.
Slowly he built on this idea and went on to explain to us the different types of bridges. His funda was simple. Anything that we use to cross from one edge to the other may be called a bridge, may it be a piece of wood. He explained the Physics behind each type of bridge construction and even told us when and how the bridge could break, something that we all were keen to know.
Naturally, the session took a turn towards the Mandovi bridge. Mr. Kumar told us the dimensions of each unit used in the construction. The idea of all these units being strung to a steel cable like flowers in a garland was nothing less than fascinating!! The string cable was to be then pulled tightly from both ends to hold the bridge up.
Mr. Kumar gave us an insight on how the bridge was built for some of the most extreme circumstances. He explained that two military tanks could be taken across the bridge, that too, unbalanced only one of its sides.
We learnt how each of the cables was designed to have an equal share of the weight of the bridge. The session was so involving that we almost experienced being on one of the waterproof chambers that were specially constructed in the Mandovi river for the making of this gigantic structure.
But, like they say, no journey is complete without obstacles. The construction of the Atal Sethu was no exception to this rule. There were many challenges that Mr. Kumar and his team faced. He explained to us how he overcame each of them in unconventional ways and with the wise use of technology. T he safety of the workers being the utmost priority, the bridge was constructed using high tech equipment and innovative solutions to overcome the hurdles that came on its way to glory.
It was a proud moment we all shared when Mr. Kumar told us that each and every equipment used in this work was made by Indians in India!
The session ended with a question and answer round where students brought up quite interesting questions. The entire session was coordinated by our Director, Mr. Vyankatesh Prabhudesai who we thank profusely for inviting the man behind this Mega structure to our Institute! This session changed our outlook of bridges. We are grateful to Mr. Raj Kumar for enriching our knowledge about bridges and their construction.
– Prepared by Tanu Kurade, Student of Std XII , MAHSS