Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the newly built Aunta–Simaria six-lane Ganga bridge on August 22, marking a significant milestone in Bihar’s infrastructure growth.

The 8.15-km-long bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs 18.71 billion, connects Aunta Ghat in Mokama (Patna district) with Simaria in Begusarai and runs parallel to the decades-old Rajendra Setu. With Rajendra Setu undergoing repairs and heavy vehicles barred from plying, the new bridge is expected to ease congestion and provide seamless connectivity between north and south Bihar.

Officials said the bridge will reduce travel distance by up to 100 km for heavy vehicles moving between districts such as Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani and Araria in the north, and Patna, Sheikhpura, Nawada and Lakhisarai in the south. It will also facilitate pilgrim movement to Simaria Dham, the birthplace of poet Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’.

Currently, only one lane of the bridge is operational, but both lanes will open for traffic from August 22. Alongside the Ganga bridge, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the 44.6-km four-lane Bakhtiyarpur–Mokama road, built at a cost of Rs 18.99 billion, completing smooth four-lane connectivity from Patna to Khagaria via Mokama and Begusarai.

The project was first announced by PM Modi in 2015 as part of a special package for Bihar, with the foundation stone laid in 2017. Officials described the bridge as a “transformational step” in boosting trade, connectivity, and regional growth.

During his Bihar visit, the Prime Minister will also address a public meeting at Magadh University in Gaya and inaugurate or lay foundation stones for over 30 development projects worth Rs 16.75 billion.

News source: IANS Live