"Bihar's Engineering Marvel: Modi Opens ₹1,870 Crore Ganga Bridge"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 8.15-km Aunta–Simaria bridge project on National Highway 31 in Bihar today.

The highlight of the project is a 1.86-km six-lane cable-stayed bridge across the Ganga, constructed at a cost of ₹1,870 crore. Touted as Bihar’s widest extradosed cable-stayed bridge, it spans 34 meters in width, with segment lengths ranging from 57 to 115 meters and cantilever arms extending 70 meters. Built with high-performance concrete enhanced with silica fume, the new structure runs parallel to the two-lane Rajendra Setu, which is currently closed to heavy vehicles for repairs.

This critical infrastructure link will eliminate detours exceeding 100 km, drastically reducing travel time between key north Bihar districts—Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani, Purnea, and Araria—and southern regions including Patna, Sheikhpura, Nawada, and Lakhisarai. It also improves access to Simaria Dham, a major pilgrimage site and the birthplace of renowned poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.

Road Construction Minister Nitin Navin said, “This bridge will greatly reduce the distance between north and south Bihar and stands as a signature project of progress.” The bridge is expected to enhance freight connectivity, benefit industrial zones such as Barauni, and expand market access for local farmers, including makhana cultivators.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.