Bridges, tunnels, missions and milestones where India did something first, biggest or highest.
Firsts & Records ·
In 2024, 64.2 crore Indians voted in the Lok Sabha election, a world record. Here is how India organises democracy on a scale no other country attempts.
Firsts & Records ·
Aadhaar gave over a billion Indians a unique digital identity. Its first number went to a woman in a tribal village in Maharashtra.
Firsts & Records ·
At about 21.8 km, Atal Setu is India's longest sea bridge. It was built to cut the Mumbai to Navi Mumbai journey from an hour to about 20 minutes.
Firsts & Records ·
The 9.02 km Atal Tunnel under the Rohtang Pass is certified as the longest highway tunnel in the world above 10,000 feet. It keeps the Lahaul valley connected all year.
Firsts & Records ·
Standing 359 metres above the Chenab river, India's Chenab Rail Bridge is the highest railway bridge in the world.
Firsts & Records ·
In 2015, Cochin International Airport in Kerala became the world's first airport to run fully on solar power. The UN later gave it its top environmental honour.
Firsts & Records ·
In July 2022, India crossed 200 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses, a feat built on health workers, homegrown vaccines and the CoWIN platform.
Firsts & Records ·
India supplies about 60% of global demand for key childhood vaccines. Its Serum Institute in Pune is the world's largest vaccine maker by doses.
Firsts & Records ·
Indian Railways carried 741 crore passengers in 2025-26 and has electrified 99.6% of its broad-gauge network. Here is the story of India's lifeline.
Firsts & Records ·
In December 2014, the UN declared 21 June the International Day of Yoga. Today, millions around the world roll out their mats on that day.
Firsts & Records ·
In 2025, India's Border Roads Organisation built a road over Mig La in Ladakh at about 19,400 feet, beating its own record set at Umling La.
Firsts & Records ·
Opened in April 2025, the New Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu is India's first vertical-lift railway sea bridge, replacing a 1914 landmark.
Firsts & Records ·
India produces nearly a quarter of the world's milk. The story starts with a few farmers in Gujarat and an engineer named Verghese Kurien.
Firsts & Records ·
In 2016, Sikkim became India's first fully organic state. In 2018 it won a global gold award for the world's best food and farming policy.
Firsts & Records ·
The Statue of Unity in Gujarat honours Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the man who helped unite more than 560 princely states into one India.
Firsts & Records ·
India's UPI now handles over 24 billion transactions a month. Here is how a homegrown idea turned a cash-heavy country into a digital payments leader.