- The pedestrian-only ‘Atal Bridge’ is a foot-over bridge (FOB) on the Sabarmati river, constructed between Ellis Bridge and Sardar Bridge by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
- Apart from pedestrians, cyclists can also use this bridge to cross the river while avoiding traffic.
NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, AUG 27
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ‘Khadi Utsav’ event and also dedicated the Atal Bridge in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
Celebrating the vibrant Khadi tradition of India! Joined 'Khadi Utsav' at Sabarmati Riverfront. https://t.co/uiRB4JfeOZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 27, 2022
In a one of its kind event being held as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Khadi Utsav is being organised to pay tribute to khadi and its importance during the freedom struggle.
વડાપ્રધાન શ્રી નરેન્દ્ર મોદી અમદાવાદના સાબરમતી રિવરફ્રન્ટ ખાતે આયોજિત ‘ખાદી ઉત્સવ’ માં મુખ્યમંત્રી શ્રી ભૂપેન્દ્ર પટેલ તથા અન્ય મહાનુભાવોની ઉપસ્થિતિમાં સહભાગી થયા હતા તથા 7500 ખાદી કારીગર માતાઓ-બહેનો દ્વારા ચરખો કાંતવાની ઐતિહાસિક ક્ષણે તેમની સાથે જોડાયા હતા.#NationWithKhadi pic.twitter.com/4iWDh8GYZk
— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) August 27, 2022
Prime Minister also tried his hands on charkha. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also attended the event.
Prime Minister Modi embarked on his two-day visit to Gujarat on Saturday. On the first day of his visit, the prime minister addressed a gathering at the ‘Khadi Utsav’ programme held on Sabarmati Riverfront in the evening. From the same venue, the prime minister inaugurated the foot over bridge.
માન. વડાપ્રધાન શ્રી નરેન્દ્રભાઈ મોદીની ગરિમામય ઉપસ્થિતિમાં 'ખાદી ઉત્સવ' કાર્યક્રમ અને ગુજરાત રાજ્ય ખાદી ગ્રામોદ્યોગ બોર્ડના નવા કાર્યાલય ભવનનું ઉદ્ઘાટન, તેમજ સાબરમતી નદી પર અટલ બ્રિજનું લોકાર્પણ. સ્થળ: સાબરમતી રિવરફ્રન્ટ અમદાવાદ https://t.co/GZYEbnsiUS
— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) August 27, 2022
The Utsav is being organized at Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad. Around 7,500 women khadi artisans from various districts of Gujarat participated at the event. The event witnessed the women spinning charkha live at the same time and at the same place.
The event featured an exhibition showcasing the ‘Evolution of Charkhas’ by displaying 22 Charkhas from different generations used since 1920s. It includes charkhas like ‘Yerwada Charkha’ which symbolises the charkhas used during the freedom struggle, to the charkhas with the latest innovations and technology used today.
According to an official statement, it has been a constant endeavour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to popularise Khadi, generate awareness about Khadi products and promote the use of Khadi amongst youth.
“As a result of the efforts of the Prime Minister, since 2014, the sale of Khadi in India has witnessed a four-fold increase, whereas, in Gujarat, the sale of Khadi has witnessed a massive eight-fold increase,” the statement said.
D E V E L O P M E N T
📍#AtalFootOverBridge pic.twitter.com/0VMXtiUNMR— Harsh Sanghavi (Modi ka Parivar) (@sanghaviharsh) August 27, 2022
Atal Bridge opens for public
- This iconic bridge, with an eye-catching design and LED lighting, is nearly 300 meters long and 14 meters wide in the middle.
- The bridge has been built using 2,600 metric tonnes of steel pipes.
- The roof of the bridge is made up of colourful fabric and the railing has been built with glass and stainless steel.
- The FOB connects the flower garden on the western-end of the riverfront and the upcoming arts and culture centre on the eastern-end.
- It will allow people to view the riverfront from the middle of the waterbody.
- The bridge is designed in such a way that people can approach it from both lower and upper walkways, or promenades of the riverfront.
