Bharuch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Bharuch and Dahej in Central Gujarat on March 7. The Prime Minister will dedicate Rs 379 crore river bridge on Narmada connecting Ahmedabad – Mumbai national highway. He will address public meeting at Krushi University campus in Zadeshwar. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate ONGC Petro additions Limited (OPaL) in nearby industrial town Dahej.

A meeting chaired by district collector Sangle was held in Bharuch to discuss the preparations for three programmes involving Prime Minister’s visit. The meeting was attended by district development officer, district police superintendent, senior officials of district administration and officials of L&T and Opel companies.

River bridge: 1344 meter long Rs 379 crore four lane river bridge is India’s longest cable stayed bridge. It’s 20.8 meter wide with 17.5 meter width for vehicles and 3 meter footpath(river view). It has 8 spans of 144 meter each and 2 spans of 96 meters each. It has 10 ‘Y’ shape towers. Each tower is 18 meter high. There are 216 yellow cables on 9 spans. Each cable is 25-40 meter long. Each cable has capacity for 1100 tonne load. The bridge will continue to serve for 100 years at least as per its design. L&T will do maintenance for 5 years.

ONGC Petro additions Limited (OPaL): The Prime Minister will dedicate this Rs 30,000 crore petrochemicals plant. First phase of this plant which is claimed to be Asia’s largest petrochemicals plant is over occupying 1700 hectare land. Works to set up railway line and port on 3800 hectare land are in progress.

Fresh inflow at Narmada dam; riverbed richer like never before

Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam witnessed fresh inflow of 24,342 cu sec water from upstream areas due to water discharge from river bed power house. Narmada dam therefore achieved the new water level of 120.47 meter, just 1.47 meter down from full height of 121.92 meter. As per the direction by Narmada Control Authority, two units of 1200 MW riverbed power house were made functional due to which downstream areas of Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam witnessed inflow of water. River Narmada which could be crossed by foot till last week is now full with water in summer period like never before.

DeshGujarat