Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated India's first glass bridge in Kanniyakumari.
National
On December 30, 2024, Tamil Nadu (TN) Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin inaugurated India's first bowstring arch glass bridge connecting the 133-foot Thiruvalluvar Statue and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu.
- The inauguration marked the Silver Jubilee (25th anniversary) of the Thiruvalluvar Statue's installation.
- The CM also announced that the Thiruvalluvar Statue will now be officially referred to as the 'Statue of Wisdom.'
- The 133-foot-tall Thiruvalluvar Statue, weighing 7,000 tonnes, was unveiled by former TN CM M. Karunanidhi on January 1, 2000, and stands on a rock in the sea off the Kanyakumari coast. Designed by renowned sculptor V. Ganapati Sthapati, its height symbolizes the 133 chapters of the Thirukkural, authored by the saint-poet Thiruvalluvar over 2,000 years ago.
Main Point :- (i) The bridge spans 77 meters in length and 10 meters in width, constructed using advanced technology to resist corrosion and withstand strong sea winds.
(ii) Built at a cost of Rs. 37 crore by the Tamil Nadu government, the bridge provides a time-saving alternative for tourists by eliminating the need for ferry rides between the two iconic landmarks.
(iii) The Poompuhar Shipping Corporation currently operates a ferry service from the Kanyakumari boat jetty to the Vivekananda Memorial and then to the Thiruvalluvar Statue. The newly inaugurated glass bridge is expected to become a major attraction in Kanyakumari, drawing thousands of visitors daily to experience its famous sunrise and sunset.
About Tamil Nadu (TN)
CM : Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin
Governor : Ravindra Narayana Ravi
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