User talk:Viral.kapadia

From: Viral Kapadia

Address: 16,Veena Building, 3rd floor, Behind SBI, Dattapada Cross Road No.3, Borivali (East), Mumbai – 400066.

Date: 23rd November 2008.

To, The Hon. Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Narendra Modi Government of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.

Dear Chief Minister,

Subject: Bridge in Gulf of Khambhat between Dahej & Alang via Piram Bet island.

I am writing to you for a World Class Giant Mega-Project of Infrastructure in anticipation of bringing The State of Gujarat as the state of opportunities and growth for everyone.

I love Geography and was thinking of having a 2-tier, 6 lane sea-crossing bridge in the Gulf of Khambhat in the Arabian ocean between the nearest two points of both edges of Dahej and Alang via “Piram Bet” island. This is for the benefits of all in respect to faster transportation, facilitation progress, economical & social growth, tourism development, more secured coastal guard, emergency help to ships and cargo vessels, etc. etc. in totality with following concerns. I will discuss about the project outlines after the major concerns below.

Major Concerns and Benefits:
1. Connecting Bhavnagar to South Gujarat and Maharashtra on fastest track: Being Jain by cast, traveling to Palitana Tirth from Mumbai since the childhood, I was thinking of shortening the distance. This will not only help to the Jain travelers and Maharaj Saheb (for their vihar purpose) but also to everybody who wants to do go in for faster traveling from South Gujarat to Bhavnagar. (See attached image map7.jpg for Palitana in left side). Trains to Bhavnagar from Surat would then be of shortest distance & fastest travel.

2. Development of “Piram Bet” island within Gulf of Khambhat: There is a small island between Dahej and Alang in the Gulf of Khambhat known as “Piram Bet” island near Ghogha village, Bhavnagar. More than 5kms. of coastline stretches around this beautiful island, with its rich archaeological history including the discovery of the fossils of large prehistoric mammals like the giant ancestors of Giraffes and Hippos. Presently the island is in a mainly undeveloped state and myriad of possibilities exists for the State of Gujarat to improvise it in a better ways like Water Sports, Para-Sailing, Snorkeling, etc. etc.

The island is said to be 35 Lakhs years old and there is a broken fort which was built in 1325. However, there is no human population!?! Tourism, residential or marina projects would all be suitable for the island’s beauty, unusual size, and close proximity to Mumbai (160 miles) and major tourist destinations like Diu and Daman (80 miles). Developments such as hotels and other large-scale projects would be an excellent choice, as India is now granting Special Economic Zones in the region which allow for the relaxation of liquor regulations. Additionally, convenience to major centers and ports like Gujarat’s capital Surat and the booming Special Economic Zone of Dahej mean that other commercial uses such as a large marina could also be highly successful.

I was surprised to see that the island is made available for “SALE” on the Internet on this link: http://www.privateislandsonline.com/gujarat-island-india.htm and it mentions as under: “There are presently 90 available acres, 3 acres designated for a government lighthouse, and the remaining 93 acres is government owned land that can possibly be acquired (a request to the government has already been filed). It’s possible to also reclaim 300 acres of additional land surrounding the island, which is technically above sea level but would need to be filled.”

It can be developed for the tourist by improving the facilities of tourism and developing the coastal area across the whole island as the “heaven of beach” better than that of beaches of Goa. This can be a better travel destination for the tourist of Gujarat & Maharashtra as compared to that of Andaman & Nicobar Islands plus Lakshdweep Island for.

3. Help to Cargo Ships and Army Navy: The said “Piram Bet” island can be of help to the large ship and cargo vessels for the requirement of any emergency stops, oil & fuel refilling needs, etc. etc. Army Navy command of Indian Army, which may be in the region to guard the coastal lines of India, can take some rest in this island if the facility for the same is created.

4. Overall Economical & Social Growth: It is certain that any large and heavy scale mega infrastructure projects are beneficial not only to the project builders and owners but it also grows the various sectors of the economy together along with improvising the standard of living and thereby growing socially too. Thus, this bridge project would certainly be of help to achieve overall economical growth of all in totality. The tourist attraction of the Piram Bet island would bring tourist from the world over and thereby India shall earn foreign exchange. We will see the growth of common man to that of the State of Gujarat and further to that of Indian nation as a whole, which will surely bring India in the eyes of the world as a confident nation to do the things better!

About the project:
Construction of a very long 2-tier sea-crossing bridge in the Gulf of Khambhat in the Arabian ocean between the nearest two points of both edges of Dahej and Alang via “Piram Bet” island. First tier on lower layer of the bridge for Railways and Second tier on the above layer for the Roadways along with footpath for pedestrians. The roadway would have 6 lanes totally (3 lanes in each direction). The railway will be of 2 tracks for up and down trains between Surat & Bhavnagar. The said bridge would have total length of 25.46kms. (Between Alang to Piram Bet island would be of 5.02kms. And between Piram Bet island to Dahej would be of 20.44kms). However, if one wants to build the bridge further nearer to Surat, then it will be of 26.09 kms. from the southern part of Piram Bet island and the land between Ankleshwar & Surat which interconnects to the State Highways 6, 166 and National Highway no.8 as well.

To understand about this project and for its nearest similarity, a reference is given below is the Hangzhou Bay Bridge of Shanghai, China with its photographs. Reference: http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/hangzhou/

Facilities and Earning capacity to recoup the costs in following ways:
1. Through a toll system for Roadways and Railway connecting South India / Mumbai / Surat / Ankleshwar / Bharuch to Bhavnagar. Three lanes in each direction on roadways and Two tracks on railways will help reducing traffic on NH8 (National Highway No.8). Plus it will help in further development of Bhavnagar city and Dahej town as well. Plus an entry and exit way on roadways for Piram Bet island on the bridge. A mini-railway station for Piram Bet island with ticket counter. 2. Tourism attractions like beach resorts at Piram Bet island & Entertainment taxes. An electric merry-go-round like London Eye; plus a mini-train service or tube-train to travel within the island of Piram Bet would be of added attraction as well!

3. We can create a Marathon Race on the bridge once in a year like Standard Chartered Bank does it in Mumbai. This will attract many local visitors & tourist from across the world, which will bring foreign exchange in the country. This would may develop interest of kids, teenagers and adults to build up their body to compete in upcoming years and thereby the health consciousness would be created in their minds. This will help reduce some diseases like heart-attacks & blood pressure as well. And who knows, there could be a Gold Meddle winner in next Olympics from Gujarat, India!?!

4. The accompanied footpath on roadways for the pedestrians could also be used for jogging on the bridge. This should be made available through a monthly / quarterly / yearly pass system to earn revenues with restriction of timings.

5. Having a rest & refueling area in the gap of 5 kms. each could be of help to all. The rest area with mini-restaurant & gallery facility for viewing scenery, First-Aid & Ambulance facility, PCO-FAX / STD / ISD booths, a mini-general store would earn little extra sum.

6. Oil & Fuel tankers for ships & local transport through rail & road ways can further add to the revenue earning by duties and taxes.

7. We can park a retired ship as a museum near Piram Bet island for the visitor attractions especially for kids. Plus decks on that ship could be further developed as play area, mini club, food courts, pool & gym facilities, rest rooms and mini hotel with marriage & conference hall facility. I am sure that capable people would book this hall for marriage and related celebrations, while corporate people would book this hall for their meetings purpose.

Please find attached are few photographs with markers of proposed bridge as well.

I hope that you would at least give this project some attention for the development of Gujarat as well as India in the eyes of the world! I would be highly obliged to you to perform any suitable activity in this project.

Kindly do the needful and allow me to receive your valuable inputs on the said project.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Viral Kapadia 14:10, 23 November 2008 (UTC)