New Delhi, Aug 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will tomorrow inaugurate the 8.15-km Aunta–Simaria highway project on NH-31 in Bihar, which includes a 1.86-km six-lane bridge across the Ganga, built at a cost of over Rs 1,870 crore. The project will provide direct connectivity between Mokama in Patna district and Begusarai.
The bridge, India’s widest extradosed cable-stayed structures, stands 34 metres wide with segment lengths ranging from 57 to 115 metres and 70-metre cantilever arms, making it a landmark in highway engineering. Constructed parallel to the ageing two-lane Rajendra Setu, which is under repair and closed for heavy vehicles, the new bridge will ease long-standing traffic bottlenecks. Heavy vehicles will no longer be forced to take detours of more than 100 km, cutting travel time between north Bihar districts such as Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani, Purnea and Araria, and south Bihar regions including Patna, Sheikhpura, Nawada and Lakhisarai.
The new link will further improve access to Simaria Dham, a prominent pilgrimage site and the birthplace of celebrated poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.
Terming the inauguration as the new chapter in Bihar’s development journey, Bihar’s Road Construction Minister Nitin Navin said, “From laying the foundation in 2017 to inaugurating it, the Prime Minister has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment and enduring vision to strengthening Bihar’s connectivity and growth.”
“This bridge will significantly reduce the distance between north and south Bihar and stand as a signature project of progress. It is a reminder of how far the state has travelled from the lantern age, when craters passed for roads. The Prime Minister envisions Bihar as the next growth engine, and every effort is being directed towards building a strong launch pad for that future,” Nabin further said.
The project is expected to drive economic growth in adjoining areas, particularly in north Bihar, which depends on south Bihar and Jharkhand for raw materials. It will also open up new opportunities for farmers, especially makhana growers, by providing faster access to national and international markets. Industrial hubs like Barauni are also expected to benefit from smoother freight movement.
Built with high-performance concrete incorporating silica fume to enhance durability, the bridge has been designed to withstand heavy traffic volumes for years. Construction also included a Railway Under Bridge using push-box technology, ensuring uninterrupted train movement during the project’s execution.
During his visit to Bihar, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the four-lane Bakhtiyarpur to Mokama section of NH-31, worth around Rs 1,900 crore, which will ease congestion, reduce travel time, and enhance passenger and freight movement. Further, improvement to the two-lane with paved shoulders of Bikramganj–Dawath–Nawanagar–Dumraon section of NH-120 in Bihar will improve connectivity in rural areas, providing new economic opportunities for the local population.
