Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Aunta–Simaria project, including the 1.865km long six-lane bridge over the majestic River Ganga in Bihar’s Gaya district on Friday.
The project, viewed as a new chapter in Bihar’s infrastructure narrative, will link Mokarma in Patna district with Begusarai and will provide an alternative to the over seven-decade-old Rajendra Setu, currently under repair.
The project features India’s widest extradosed bridge, designed with a single segmental structure having 34-metre-wide deck, over the River Ganga. With span lengths ranging from 57 m to 115 m and 70 m cantilever arms, the structure exemplifies engineering excellence.
Spanning the Ganga: Fulfilling a Regional Aspiration
Located on the NH-31 corridor, this bridge forms the centrepiece of the Aunta (Mokama)–Simaria (Begusarai) stretch. Its significance lies not just in its engineering might, but in the promise of connectivity and growth it brings to Bihar.
The state’s historic Rajendra Setu, a two-lane rail-cum-road bridge built nearly seven decades ago, has long been a lifeline for the region. However, age and extensive repairs have rendered it inadequate for heavy vehicles, forcing them onto lengthy detours.
The new six-lane bridge is constructed parallel to the old Rajendra Setu. This offers a direct and modern alternative, reducing traffic jams in Patna and Muzaffarpur, restoring not just the flow of traffic but the hope and ambition of communities on both sides of the river.
Unleashing Connectivity and Growth
For the people of Mokama in Patna district and Begusarai, the new bridge is more than a passage; it is a connector of aspirations, livelihoods, and markets.
The newly built project will shorten up to 100km for the commuters going between North Bihar regions and South Bihar destinations.
With travel becoming both easier and faster, the new bridge is poised to energise trade, support local industries, and enhance economic resilience for communities that depend on swift transport of goods and people.
Talking about the construction work on the project, NHAI Regional Officer ML Yoetkar said, “The team had to face a lot of challenges during construction. This is a low-lying area, prone to annual floods. Construction work is possible only during 7 to 8 months every year due to the flooding. The floods also make life difficult for people in the region and restrict their movement.” He further added that this bridge will bring relief to people in this area.
The people of Begusarai are brimming with excitement as they share their reactions.
“The Prime Minister is doing a big service to the common man. This bridge will bring Patna and Begusarai districts closer, and will bring convenience to the people. It will reduce travel for vehicles that were forced to take detour due to the damaged bridge,” Ram Kumar Singh, a local, said.
Another resident of the region, Monu Raj, said, “It used to take three hours to reach Patna from Begusarai; now we will reach in 1.5 hours. Now, more tourists will come to Simaria Dham.”
Meanwhile, Santosh Kumar expresses joy over the inauguration of the new project.
“The bridge will cut travel time for trucks by 100 kilometres. This will be good for traders,” he said.
A Symbol of Vision and Commitment
The Aunta–Simaria bridge exemplifies the commitment to modernise and expand the nation’s infrastructure. Its foundation stone, laid by PM Modi, marked the beginning of a transformational journey to enhance connectivity and accelerate regional development, ensuring that progress reaches every corner of the state.
The Bridge will also provide better connectivity to the famous pilgrimage place of Simaria Dham, which is also the birthplace of renowned poet Late Shri Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.
The inauguration of the Aunta–Simaria bridge marks a pivotal milestone in Bihar’s journey towards integrated development. With the restoration of a reliable and efficient route over the Ganga, the people of Bihar can look forward to faster connectivity, reduced economic burdens, and greater opportunities.
The project’s impact will be felt not just in the improved movement of vehicles, but in every household, business, and community that gains from the newfound ease and reliability of travel.
The Aunta-Simaria bridge is set to become a powerful testament to the spirit of modern India: bringing distances, uplifting lives, and driving the nation towards a brighter, more connected future.