RAS question
The 'Bajrang Setu', India's first glass suspension bridge, is being built in which city replacing which historic structure?
Correct answer: (B) Rishikesh, replacing Laxman Jhula.
Bajrang Setu, India's first glass suspension bridge, is being built in Rishikesh as the replacement for the historic Laxman Jhula.
Explanation
Bajrang Setu is the new bridge associated with Rishikesh, not with any other Uttarakhand pilgrimage town in the options. The Times of India reports that the under-construction Bajrang Setu in Rishikesh is being built to replace the iconic Lakshman Jhula, and describes it as a suspension bridge with glass walkways on both sides and a central deck. It replaces the historic Laxman Jhula and is identified as India's first glass suspension bridge. The point to remember for the exam is the pairing: Rishikesh plus Laxman Jhula. The glass element is not a separate location clue; it is part of the bridge design that makes Bajrang Setu newsworthy.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Haridwar is not the location identified by The Times of India, and Ram Jhula is not the historic structure being replaced.
- (C) Bajrang Setu is linked to Rishikesh and Laxman Jhula, not to Devprayag or any Sangam Bridge.
- (D) Kedarnath and Mandakini Bridge do not match the verified Rishikesh-Laxman Jhula pairing for Bajrang Setu.
Concept
This tests current infrastructure and tourism-linked public works, a recurring RAS area because named bridges, corridors and urban projects often appear as location-structure pairs. The key is to retain the exact pairing, not just the headline feature of a glass bridge.