India observes Engineers Day on September 15 every year to honour the birthday of the most prominent Indian Engineer, statesmen - Bharat Ratna Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. Knighted as a Knight Commander of the British Indian Empire (KCIE) by King George V, Sir M Visvesvaraya's contribution to the public good is humongous. His work also built the assets and growth of the respective nation - India, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Therefore, all the above three nations celebrate his birthday, September 15 as Engineers Day.
And today to pay tribute to all the Engineers and their work, we bring you some of the best engineering marvels in India that have made positive effects on human life.
Have a look!
Statue of Unity - Gujarat
Statue of Unity is the most advanced engineering marvel to be added to the scenic mural of India. Consecrated to the Iron man of India - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, it is the most towering free-standing statue in the world at 182 meters. Located on the banks of the Narmada River, it is one of the projects that our generation of Indians have seen being approved and finished in record time. And it has sure given hope to boost Indian Tourism.
Mahatma Gandhi Setu, Bihar
Touted as a true engineering miracle, equilibrium and grace in appearance are what this bridge is known for. Mahatma Gandhi Setu depicts the exceptional prowess of both engineering design and technology. It took over a decade to construct this wonderful feat of engineering genius.
Pamban Bridge, Tamil Nadu
You can never forget a train journey on the Pamban bridge, connecting Rameswaram island to mainland India. With 143 piers, spanning 2 km, it is the second-longest sea bridge in India. Pamban Bridge is also India's first Cantilever bridge, and there were many challenges while constructing it, as it was built in the world's second highly corrosive environment.
Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, Telangana
The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is the most comprehensive of its kind in the world and one of Asia's greatest infrastructure investments, costing a whopping Rs. 1.2 lakh crore to complete. After the state of Telangana experienced serious water woes in the mid-2010s, the project was initiated in 2016 and completed in 2019 - allowing the Godavari river to extend into a near-2,000 kilometre chain of water supply that's helped thousands of farmers and replenished groundwater supplies in villages across the state.
Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Mumbai
The Bandra-Worli Sea Link is an eight-lane bridge that links Bandra in the Western Suburbs of Mumbai with Worli in South Mumbai. It is a cable-stayed bridge with pre-stressed concrete-steel viaducts on either side. The Bandra-Worli Sea Link was the first infrastructure project in Mumbai to use seismic arresters. These will enable it to withstand earthquakes measuring up to 7.0 on the Richter scale. It was named after Rajiv Gandhi, a former Prime Minister of India.
Signature Bridge, Delhi
The Signature Bridge, connecting Wazirabad across the Yamuna to the inner city, was inaugurated on November 4, 2018, by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. It is double the height of Qutub Minar. The signature bridge is projected as India's first asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge, with the gesture 'namaste.'
Matrimandir, Auroville
The Matrimandir (Sanskrit for Temple of The Mother) is an edifice of spiritual significance in the centre of Auroville. It is called the soul of the city and is situated in a large open space called Peace. Matrimandir does not belong to any particular religion or section. It took 37 years to build, from the laying of the foundation stone at sunrise on February 21, 1971 - the Mother's 93rd birthday - to its completion in May 2008.
Chenab Bridge, J&K
The Indian Railways is building the world's highest railway bridge which is projected to be taller than even the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It would also be 'blast proof' and is being built to withstand earthquakes.