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Linking Mokama in Patna district with Begusarai and reducing the travel time to half to just about 1.5 hours, the project is a crucial link between North and South Bihar.
The bridge will slash the distance between North Bihar regions – Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani, and Araria – and South Bihar – Patna, Seikhpura, Nawada, and Lakhisarai – up to 100 km.
The six-lane Aunta–Simaria Ganga Bridge in Bihar may be just two kilometres long but it has the potential to cut the distance between the northern and southern parts of the poll-bound state by almost 100 km for at least heavy vehicles, an official statement from the Ministry of Roads, Transport & Highways claims.
Including approaches, the total length of the bridge is more than 8 km. The new bridge is set to be inaugurated on Friday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is one of several infrastructure projects allocated to the state by the Prime Minister in recent months, as the state is set for polls later this year.
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Linking Mokama in Patna district with Begusarai and reducing the travel time to half to just about 1.5 hours, the project is a crucial link between North and South Bihar, providing an alternative to the seven decade old two-lane rail-cum-road bridge – Rajendra Setu.
Rajendra Setu, due to age and repairs, cannot handle heavy vehicles, forcing long detours.
A part of the national highway 31, this new bridge over Ganga river is a crucial part between Aunta and Simaria section. It features India’s widest extradosed bridge designed with a single segmental structure having a 34-metre-wide deck. The span lengths range from 57 m to 115 m and 70 m cantilever arms.
Standing parallel to Rajendra Setu, the bridge will ease congestion in Patna and Muzaffarpur while restoring heavy-vehicle movement on the section.
In a statement, the Ministry said that the bridge will slash the distance between North Bihar regions – Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani, and Araria – and South Bihar – Patna, Seikhpura, Nawada, and Lakhisarai – up to 100 km.
“This dramatic reduction in travel distance directly translates into savings: on time, on fuel, and on vehicle operation costs. With travel becoming both easier and faster, the new bridge is poised to energise trade, support local industries, and enhance economic resilience for communities that depend on swift transport of goods and people,” it added.
The PM had laid the foundation stone of the bridge in October 2017.
NHAI Regional Officer ML Yoetkar said that the project construction could only take place for about seven to eight months in a year as it falls in a low lying area, prone to annual floods.
“The team had to face a lot of challenges during construction…,” he said, adding that this bridge will bring a lot of relief to people in this area.
About the Author
Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived…Read More
Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived… Read More
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