Setu Bharatam Project, Objectives, Importance, History

Setu Bharatam Project was launched by the Government of India in order to make all National Highways free of railway crossings. The goal is to eliminate the railway level crossings on national highways by building road over-bridges or road-under bridges. The government is expected to build 208 such bridges, while 1500 such already existing bridges are expected to be widened, repaired and replaced under the Setu Bharatam scheme. The project will be handled by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Setu Bharatam Project Overview

The Setu Bharatam Project is an ambitious project launched to ensure safe and easy travel across national highways. The project includes building bridges, flyovers and underpasses and reconstruction and repair of the existing roads and passes that are causing risk to road commuters. The roads and bridges will be built on critical junctions in order to make all highway roads free of railway crossings. The project will increase road safety by releasing the need of vehicles to stop at railway crossings. 

Setu Bharatam Project History 

• The Setu Bharatam Project was launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• The project was a part of the government’s initiative to upgrade and modernize road infrastructure.
• It aimed at improving safety and efficiency on national highways, particularly addressing level crossings.
• Level crossings were identified as a major risk for accidents and traffic congestion.
• The scheme focuses on constructing railway overbridges and underpasses to eliminate level crossings.
• It ensures uninterrupted and safer travel on national highways.
• Setu Bharatam project supported the government’s vision of sustainable development and strengthened transportation infrastructure.

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Setu Bharatam Project Objectives

The Setu Bharatam Pariyojana has the following Objectives:

• Reduces fatalities caused by accidents at level railway crossings.
• Alleviates traffic congestion by constructing road overbridges and underpasses.
• Shortens travel time on national highways.
• Enhances logistical efficiency, improving the ease of doing business.
• Boosts capital investment in infrastructure development.
• Creates direct and indirect employment opportunities through infrastructure projects.
• Stimulates economic activity in industries like construction, iron, and steel. 

Setu Bharatam Project Importance

The Setu Bharatam Project is important for India for the following reasons: 

• The Setu Bharatam Project aims to improve the logistical efficiency of the nation’s National Highways. It is expected to boost India’s ranking on the Logistics Performance Index and the Ease of Doing Business Index.
• Indian Railways currently has an estimated 31,846 level crossings, including 18,316 manned and 13,530 unmanned crossings. The project specifically targets the elimination of 208 level crossings located on national highways, addressing a critical safety concern. By removing these crossings, the initiative aims to prevent avoidable accidents, saving countless lives lost at both manned and unmanned railway crossings.
• Additionally, the Setu Bharatam Project will significantly increase capital expenditure in the ‘Road and Highways’ sector, driving economic growth. The improved logistical efficiency will benefit industries in the affected states, reducing costs through enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced travel time.
• The project is also expected to increase the average speed on national highways by alleviating long traffic congestions and enhancing the efficiency of railway routes by enabling safe, high-speed crossings.

Setu Bharatam Project – State-wise details of the RoBs identified

Here is the list detailing the number of new Road Over Bridges (RoBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) planned for construction under the Setu Bharatam program: