Icons of New India

The new university campus in Nalanda is not a monument to a glorious past, but one to a great future. The Rani Ratnavati School in Jaisalmer’s Salkha is not merely a striking design that withstands 50c temperature in the Thar; it is also an empowerment opportunity for girl students. The Bhupen Hazarika Setu over the mighty Brahmaputra, forming a critical link between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, reflects the dreams of a nation determined to build boldly, think long-term, and ensure that progress goes beyond statistics and impacts the everyday lives of its people.

Here are a few outstanding examples of India’s new landmarks, and the imagination that went into the conception of each.

ATAL TUNNEL

Impossible Made Possible

There is something exhilarating about driving through the Atal Tunnel. The road disappears into the mountains near Manali and minutes later, emerges into the dramatic topography of Lahaul – a journey that is as much about engineering as it is about the sheer pleasure of discovery.

Stretching 9.02 kilometres beneath the Pir Panjal range, this passageway is the world’s single longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet. Its construction presented formidable challenges: extreme weather, heavy snowfall, difficult geology, and the constant threat of avalanches. The result, after years of perseverance and engineering ingenuity, is a feat that has transformed connectivity across the once-isolated region, while helping strengthen livelihoods and boost tourism.

The tunnel has reduced the distance between Manali and Keylong by around 46 kilometres, and cut travel time by several hours. More importantly, it has delivered significantly improved all-weather access to Lahaul and Spiti. Yet numbers tell only part of the story.

For the traveller, the Atal Tunnel has opened up an extraordinary driving experience – the transition from the green slopes of Manali to the stark but magnificent landscapes beyond the Pir Panjal is unforgettable. And besides promising a road trip through some of India’s most spectacular terrain, it also acts as a tribute to India’s ability to conquer seemingly insurmountable challenges.

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CHENAB RAIL BRIDGE

Railroad in the Sky

No journey demonstrates the ambition of modern India as much as the sight of a train crossing the Chenab Rail Bridge. Rising 359 metres above the riverbed, this steel marvel stands taller than the Eiffel Tower and is recognised as the world’s highest railway arch bridge.

Building a bridge in the rugged Himalayas was quite an exceptional feat of engineering. It had to withstand extreme climatic conditions, strong winds, and seismic activity, while construction teams stuck it out in one of the country’s most challenging terrains. The result is a remarkable work of infrastructure spanning the Chenab gorge – an achievement that combines technological prowess, precision engineering, and years of grit and determination.

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For passengers, it presents an unforgettable journey, suspended high above a dramatic river valley, surrounded by the scenic mountain geography of Jammu and Kashmir. Beyond the experience, and the impressive engineering benchmarks, the bridge forms part of a project connecting the valley with the national rail network, making it of immense economic and strategic significance.

Above all, the Chenab Rail Bridge is a powerful symbol of connection, and a means to expand trade, tourism and mobility, while enhancing access to the sensitive region. By overcoming one of India’s greatest land barriers, it brings Kashmir closer to the rest of the country – not merely through steel and rail, but through opportunity, accessibility, and shared hopes.

RANI KAMLAPATI RAILWAY STATION

Gateway to Modern India

With millions of Indians travelling by train daily, railway stations are by far the land’s most visible transport touchpoints. And in the heart of the country, Bhopal’s Rani Kamlapati Railway Station offers a glimpse of what these spaces can become in a rapidly transforming India.

Redeveloped as a top-class transportation hub, the station represents a new vision for Indian Railways, one that combines efficiency, comfort, technology, and contemporary design. Inspired by the lofty standards of modern airports, it boasts spacious concourses, upgraded passenger amenities, better crowd management, and streamlined movement through the premises. To meet the aspirations of a rising India that demands more and better, the makeover of Kamlapati demanded a fundamental reimagining of the concept of the railway station, creating facalities capable of serving large passenger volumes alongside providing a modern experience.

Named after the Gond queen remembered for her courage and legacy, the station also links forward-looking infrastructure with the history and identity of Madhya Pradesh. Its importance lies in what it represents. As India modernises one of the world’s largest railway networks, Rani Kamlapati Railway Station demonstrates that world-class public facilities need not be confined to airports or global capitals. It can become part of everyday Indian life – accessible, efficient, and built for a nation moving confidently towards the future

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