Cabinet approves construction of new 4.56 km long bridge on river Ganga in Bihar

To be executed on an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode, the project comes with a total estimated cost of ₹3,064.45 crore, encompassing a civil construction outlay of ₹2,233.81 crore.

The current link between Digha and Sonepur, via a Rail Cum Road Bridge, caters only to light vehicles, creating a bottleneck for the movement of goods and commodities. The approved bridge will eliminate this economic impediment, providing a robust transportation corridor and unlocking the economic potential of the region.

This strategic infrastructure endeavor is poised to enhance connectivity from Patna to the Golden Quadrilateral corridor through NH-139 at Aurangabad and Sonepur (NH-31), encompassing key areas such as Chhapra, Motihari (East-West corridor old NH-27), and Bettiah (NH-727) in northern Bihar.

Furthermore, the bridge is an integral component of the Buddha circuit, facilitating direct access to the Buddha Stupa at Vaishali and Keshariya, along with connectivity to the renowned Areraj Someshwar Nath Temple and the proposed Viraat Ramayan Mandir at Kesariya in the East Champaran District via NH-139W.

Employing the latest technologies, including 5D-Building Information Modeling (BIM), Bridge Health Monitoring System (BHMS), and monthly drone mapping, the project aims to ensure the highest quality of construction and operations, the Cabinet informed in a statement. The construction timeline is set at 42 months from the appointed date.

Apart from the significant impact on connectivity, the project is anticipated to generate employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers during both the construction and maintenance phases. The Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) is projected at 17.6% in the base case, showcasing the potential economic benefits in terms of time and distance savings.

The bridge will span the River Ganga, connecting Patna in the south to Saran in the north, covering two districts.