BRIDGE INAUGURATION IN BIHAR

By Anshika Khera

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Bihar to inaugurate Aunta Simaria project on August 22 in Gaya. The project also includes a new two-kilometre bridge over the Ganga River. The bridge will facilitate direct connectivity between Mokama in Patna district and Begusarai.

The bridge has been built parallel to the old Rajendra Setu, a two-lane rail-cum-road bridge, Anil Choudhary, Member, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), said while briefing the media about the project in New Delhi on Wednesday

This bridge is expected to cut the distance by 100 kilometres between North and South Bihar. It was revealed that it will reduce fuel use and vehicle operation costs . Located on NH31, the entire bridge is 8.15 km long. It also includes a 1.86 km long 6 lane bridge on river Ganga. Constructed at a cost of over Rs 1,870 crore, the project will provide direct connectivity between Mokama in Patna and Begusarai.

“The bridge has been constructed parallel to an old two-lane dilapidated rail-cum-road bridge ‘Rajendra Setu’, which is in poor condition, forcing heavy vehicles to re-route. The new bridge will reduce this extra travel distance of more than 100 km for the heavy vehicles travelling between North Bihar and South Bihar areas”, said press release of Prime Minister’s office.