View source for Arrah Chhapra Bridge

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2017}}
{{short description| 4.35 Km bridge over Ganga river in Bihar, India}}

{{Infobox Bridge
| bridge_name = Arrah–Chhapra Bridge
| native_name = {{lang|bh|आरा-छपरा सेतु}}
| other_name  = Veer Kunwar Singh Setu
| crosses     = [[Ganges]]
| locale      = [[Arrah]] and [[Chhapra]] in [[Bihar]], India
| carries     = 4-lane 
| design      = [[Extradosed bridge]]
| maint       = Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/incomplete-ara-chhapra-bridge-set-for-inauguration/articleshow/59076158.cms |title=Incomplete Ara-Chhapra-bridge set for inauguration |work=The Times of India |date=10 June 2017 }}</ref>
| designer    = [[McElhanney|McElhanney Limited]]
| builder     = SP Singla Constructions Private Limited<ref>{{cite web |url=http://spsingla.com/?projects=4-35-km-long-4-lane-h-l-bridge-with-approach-road-across-river-ganga-including-1920m-long-extradosed-bridge-connecting-ara-chhapra-in-bhojpur-bihar |title=India’s longest multi-span Extradosed Bridge |work=SP Singla Constructions |access-date=9 June 2021 }}</ref> 
| material    = [[Concrete]]
| spans       = 16
| mainspan    = {{Convert|120|m|abbr=on}}
| length      = {{Convert|4350|m|ft|abbr=on}}  
| width       = {{Convert|20.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} 
| cost        = Rs 800 [[crore]]s
| begin       = July 2010 
| inaugurated = 11 June 2017<ref>{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chief-minister-nitish-kumar-dedicates-two-road-bridges-to-people-of-bihar-4698820/ |title=Chief Minister Nitish Kumar dedicates two road bridges to people of Bihar |work=The Indian Express |date=11 June 2017 }}</ref>
| coordinates = {{coord|25.7279395|N|84.8144217|E|format=dms}}
}}

'''Arrah–Chhapra Bridge''' ({{lang-bho|आरा-छपरा पुल}}) or '''Veer Kunwar Singh Setu''' ({{lang-bho|वीर कुँवर सिंह सेतु}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170611/jsp/frontpage/story_156221.jsp|title=Bridge opening boon for north Bihar link |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107011755/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170611/jsp/frontpage/story_156221.jsp|archive-date=7 November 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> is the longest multi-span [[extradosed bridge]] in the world with a main bridge length of {{convert|1920|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Arrah-Chhapra Bridge |url=https://structurae.net/en/structures/arrah-chhapra-bridge|website=Structurae|access-date=2019-11-01}}</ref> The bridge crosses over the [[Ganges River]] in [[India]], connecting [[Arrah]] in [[Bhojpur district, India|Bhojpur]] district to [[Chhapra]] in [[Saran district|Saran]] district of [[Bihar]] state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101230/jsp/bihar/story_13369018.jsp|title=Ganga link to connect Ara & Chhapra|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520070513/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101230/jsp/bihar/story_13369018.jsp|archive-date=20 May 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160613/jsp/bihar/story_90847.jsp#.V_ktTOV97IU|title=Land bids put bridges in troubled waters Four new bridges being constructed over the Ganga in different locations across Bihar have missed their deadlines for completion. The existing bridges are dilapidated, adding to the woes|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009181813/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160613/jsp/bihar/story_90847.jsp#.V_ktTOV97IU|archive-date=9 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The bridge provides a roadway link between the northern and southern parts of Bihar.
<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Ara-Chhapra-road-bridge-on-Ganga-river-to-be-ready-by-June-2016/articleshow/50336830.cms |title=Ara-Chhapra road bridge on Ganga river to be ready by June 2016 |publisher=The Times of India, 26 December 2015 |location=Patna, India |first=Madan |last=Kumar |date=2015-12-26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227185754/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Ara-Chhapra-road-bridge-on-Ganga-river-to-be-ready-by-June-2016/articleshow/50336830.cms |archive-date=27 December 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The bridge opened for public use on 11 June 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/new-bridges-over-ganga-reduce-distance-in-state/articleshow/59099632.cms|title=New bridges over Ganga reduce distance in Bihar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111042100/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/new-bridges-over-ganga-reduce-distance-in-state/articleshow/59099632.cms|archive-date=11 November 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

As of April 2021, it is the 9th [[List_of_longest_bridges_above_water_in_India| longest bridge above water]] in [[India]]. The second longest extradosed bridge is [[Kiso-gawa]] bridge in [[Japan]] which is 275 m long.{{CN|date=May 2020}}

==Project==
Politician [[Nitish Kumar]] laid the [[foundation stone]] for the Arrah-Chhapra bridge in July 2010. He said that his wish was to connect the [[Bihari languages|Bhojpuri-speaking districts]].{{cn|date=May 2020}} The bridge reduced the distance between Chhapra and Arrah from 130&nbsp;km to 40&nbsp;km.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livehindustan.com/news/patna/article1-%E0%A4%AD%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF-%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%9B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%B5-%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A5%9C%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%9C%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%87-647888.html |title=भोजपुरिया संस्कृति वाले छपरा व आरा जुड़ेंगे सड़क मार्ग से |access-date=2016-12-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102123650/http://www.livehindustan.com/news/patna/article1-%E0%A4%AD%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF-%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%9B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%B5-%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A5%9C%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%9C%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%87-647888.html |archive-date=2 January 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> This has greatly reduce the distance of Arrah, Aurangabad and Bhabhua districts from Siwan, Chhapra and Gopalganj districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livehindustan.com/news/patna/article1-New-road-conecting-north-and-south-bihar-571441.html|title=उत्तर और दक्षिण बिहार जुड़ जाएगा नई सड़क से आरा-छपरा के बीच बन रहा नया पुल शुरू हो जाएगा|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008081913/http://www.livehindustan.com/news/patna/article1-New-road-conecting-north-and-south-bihar-571441.html|archive-date=8 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> People can go from South to North Bihar without going to Patna district. This bridge connects [[NH-19]] at Doriganj in [[Chhapra]] to [[NH-30]] at [[Koilwar]] in [[Arrah]] with a 4-lane bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jagran.com/bihar/bhojpur-12668612.html|title=संस्कृति को सशक्त करेगा आरा-छपरा पुल|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009185322/http://www.jagran.com/bihar/bhojpur-12668612.html|archive-date=9 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>http://www.telegraphindia.com/1131016/jsp/bihar/story_17456247.jsp {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009181421/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1131016/jsp/bihar/story_17456247.jsp |date=9 October 2016 }}</ref>  

The Rs 800 [[crore]] (US$130 million) bridge is the longest multi-span [[extradosed bridge]] in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/tejashwi-to-open-2-mega-bridges-on-pul-nigam-day/articleshow/59057190.cms|title=Tejashwi Prasad Yadav to open 2 mega bridges on Pul Nigam day|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619032545/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/tejashwi-to-open-2-mega-bridges-on-pul-nigam-day/articleshow/59057190.cms|archive-date=19 June 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The multi-span extradosed navigational section over the Ganges is 1,920m long and the bridge has a total length of 4.35&nbsp;km, including the approach spans of more than 2&nbsp;km. The 120m-long navigation spans are supported by five extradosed [[stay cable]]s arranged in a single-plane harp configuration, whereas the approach spans are simply-supported. The navigation spans and 2&nbsp;km of the approach spans are composed of single-cell precast concrete box girders, while the remaining 0.35&nbsp;km of approach spans are cast-in-place. The total length of approach road on either side of the bridge is 17&nbsp;km.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/incomplete-ara-chhapra-bridge-set-for-inauguration/articleshow/59076158.cms|title='Incomplete' Ara-Chhapra bridge set for inauguration|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619032540/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/incomplete-ara-chhapra-bridge-set-for-inauguration/articleshow/59076158.cms|archive-date=19 June 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> 

===Accident===
In September 2015, seven people were killed after a crane collapsed at the bridge construction site.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/seven-killed-after-crane-collapses-at-arrah-chapra-bridge-construction-site-115091400682_1.html |title=Seven killed after crane collapses at Arrah-Chapra bridge construction site |access-date=2016-10-09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313033429/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/seven-killed-after-crane-collapses-at-arrah-chapra-bridge-construction-site-115091400682_1.html |archive-date=13 March 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.business-standard.com/video-gallery/general/seven-killed-after-crane-collapses-at-arrah-chapra-bridge-construction-site-25963.htm |title=Seven killed after crane collapses at Arrah-Chapra bridge construction site |access-date=2016-10-09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803090524/http://www.business-standard.com/video-gallery/general/seven-killed-after-crane-collapses-at-arrah-chapra-bridge-construction-site-25963.htm |archive-date=3 August 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Bridges across the Ganges in Bihar==
The Ganges divides the state of Bihar in two parts. The river makes communication between the two parts difficult.

The first effort to bridge the gap was [[Rajendra Setu]] in 1959. The next bridge across the Ganges in Bihar was the {{convert|5,575|m|adj=on}} [[Mahatma Gandhi Setu]], the longest bridge in India at the time of its commissioning in 1982.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.generalknowledgequizblog.com/2011/03/mahatma-gandhi-setu-longest-river.html | title =Mahatma Gandhi Setu the Longest River Bridge in India | publisher =General Knowledge Quiz | access-date =2011-07-06 | url-status =live | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110704184257/http://www.generalknowledgequizblog.com/2011/03/mahatma-gandhi-setu-longest-river.html | archive-date =4 July 2011 | df =dmy-all }}</ref> It was followed by [[Vikramshila Setu]] near [[Bhagalpur]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://karnabhumi.blogspot.com/2009/08/vikramshila-setu.html | title = Vikramshila Setu | publisher = Bhagalpur, Land of Art, Culture and Education | access-date = 2011-07-06 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120326154749/http://karnabhumi.blogspot.com/2009/08/vikramshila-setu.html | archive-date = 26 March 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> The fourth bridge across the Ganges in the state is the [[Digha–Sonpur bridge]].

[[Munger Ganga Bridge]] is also under construction.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-12-27/patna/27303527_1_mega-rail-rail-projects-road-bridge| title = PM opens work on Munger rail-cum-road bridge project| access-date = 2011-07-06| date = 2002-12-27| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120908043741/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-12-27/patna/27303527_1_mega-rail-rail-projects-road-bridge| archive-date = 8 September 2012| work = [[The Times of India]]| df = dmy-all}}</ref> A {{convert|5.575|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} bridge [[Bakhtiyarpur-Tajpur Bridge]] is under construction which will connect [[Bakhtiyarpur]] and [[Tajpur, Bihar|Tajpur]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.bihardays.com/3bhr/nitish-inaugurates-construction-ganga-bridge-connecting-bakhtiyarpur-tajpur-bridge-open-2015/ |title = Nitish inaugurates construction of Ganga bridge connecting Bakhtiyarpur – Tajpur: bridge to open in 2015 |publisher = Bihar Days |access-date = 2011-07-06 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110615181024/http://www.bihardays.com/3bhr/nitish-inaugurates-construction-ganga-bridge-connecting-bakhtiyarpur-tajpur-bridge-open-2015/ |archive-date = 15 June 2011 |df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Arrah–Chhapra Bridge across the Ganges connects [[Arrah]] and [[Chhapra]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101230/jsp/bihar/story_13369018.jsp |title=Ganga link to connect Ara & Chhapra |publisher=The Telegraph, 30 December 2010 |access-date=2011-07-06 |location=Calcutta, India |first=Rakesh K. |last=Singh |date=2010-12-30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520070513/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101230/jsp/bihar/story_13369018.jsp |archive-date=20 May 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> A road bridge parallel to the existing rail and road  bridge, Rajendra Setu, has also been planned.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110408/jsp/bihar/story_13823833.jsp|title=Four-lane connector over Sone, Ganga|publisher=The Telegraph, 8 April 2011|access-date=2011-07-06|location=Calcutta, India|date=2011-04-08|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626045202/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110408/jsp/bihar/story_13823833.jsp|archive-date=26 June 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Status updates==
* '''Jun 2017:''' Bridge inaugurated by Chief Minister of Bihar [[Nitish Kumar]] on 11 June 2017.

== See also ==
{{commons cat}}
* {{Portal-inline|Transport}}
* {{Portal-inline|Engineering}}
* {{Portal-inline|India}}
* [[Koilwar bridge]]
* [[List of road–rail bridges]]
* [[List of longest bridges above water in India]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{external media
| align=right
| video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHxtnfTbEzQ Working Video of F12 at Arrah-Chhapra Bridge Project in Bihar]
}}
{{Railways in Bihar}}
{{Rivers in Bihar}}
{{Patna Division topics}}
{{Saran Division topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Arrah - Chhapra Bridge}}
[[Category:Bridges in Bihar]]
[[Category:Patna district]]
[[Category:Saran district]]
[[Category:Bridges over the Ganges]]
[[Category:Road bridges in India]]
[[Category:Transport in Chhapra]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 2017]]
[[Category:Extradosed bridges]]
[[Category:Extradosed bridges in India]]