Rishikesh’s Bajrang Setu glass bridge broken ahead of inauguration; Unidentified person damages panels

Rishikesh glass bridge broken: Ahead of its official opening, the much-anticipated Bajrang Setu glass footpath bridge in Rishikesh has drawn attention after minor damage was reported. According to officials, the glass surface at one end of the under-construction bridge near Lakshman Jhula was affected by an unidentified individual. An official told PTI, “The top layer was damaged, while the bottom four layers remained intact”. To prevent further damage, authorities are now installing CCTV cameras and improving lighting on the bridge.

Multi-Layered Toughened Glass Used in Construction

The Bajrang Setu glass bridge project features advanced engineering, with pedestrian walkways made using five layers of toughened glass, each 12 mm thick, making a total thickness of around 60 mm.


Also Read: Top doctors share what to eat and what to avoid to stay infection-free in this changing weather

Despite this robust design, repeated incidents of damage have raised questions about the durability and on-ground protection of the structure.

Second Incident in 2024 Raises Safety Concerns

This is the second such incident reported. Earlier, a hammer accidentally dropped by a worker damaged the glass, which was later repaired.

Officials confirmed that this is not the first time the glass has cracked, with similar breakages reported in the past as well. Each time, the damaged sections had to be replaced, adding to concerns over maintenance and oversight.

Rs 69.20 Crore Project Awaiting Inauguration

The bridge, being constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 69.20 crore by the Public Works Department, is around 132.30 metres long and 8.60 metres wide. Transparent glass walkways have been built on both sides for pedestrians, aiming to offer a unique glass bridge experience over the Ganga river in Rishikesh, a major draw for tourists.

Tourist Movement Continues Despite Safety Concerns

Even though the bridge has not yet been officially inaugurated, movement of tourists and locals had reportedly continued over the past two months, raising serious concerns about public safety.

However, officials have now restricted pedestrian movement on the bridge as a precautionary measure.


Inputs from agencies