>ItsSkV08 at 13:48, 18 June 2021

2021-06-18T13:48:03Z

New page

The state of [[Bihar]] has a number of [[bridge]]s, extending from few metres to a few kilometres. The history of long bridges goes back to the [[British Empire]] when the site for the [[Koilwar bridge]] (Abdul Bari bridge) was surveyed in 1851. Since then a number of small and large bridges have crept up. Some are even largest of their kind. [[Mahatma Gandhi Setu]], joining [[Patna]] and [[Hajipur]] was India's longest river bridge from 1982 to 2017.

==Notable bridges==

===Mahatma Gandhi Setu===
[[File:Gandhi Setu Bridge in Patna, India.jpg|right|280px|thumb|Gandhi Setu Bridge in Patna, India]]
{{main|Mahatma Gandhi Setu}}
Also called Gandhi Setu or Ganga Setu is a [[bridge]] over the river [[Ganges]] connecting [[Patna]] in the south to [[Hajipur]] in the north of [[Bihar]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Destinations :: Patna|url=http://bstdc.bih.nic.in/Patna.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918091228/http://bstdc.bih.nic.in/patna.htm|archive-date=2014-09-18|df=}}</ref> Its length is {{convert|5575|m}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gammonindia.com|title=Gammon India Limited|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5wSKv3SAO?url=http://www.gammonindia.com/|archive-date=2011-02-13|url-status=dead|df=}}</ref> and it is one of the longest river bridge in India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gandhi Setu: An engineering marvel|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-11/patna/32174190_1_patna-and-north-bihar-mahatma-gandhi-setu-bridge|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817123153/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-11/patna/32174190_1_patna-and-north-bihar-mahatma-gandhi-setu-bridge|url-status=dead|work=[[The Times of India]]|archive-date=2012-08-17}}</ref> It was inaugurated in May 1982 by the then [[Indian Prime Minister|Prime Minister]], [[Indira Gandhi]].
The bridge was approved by the [[Government of India|Central Government]] in 1969 and built by [[Gammon India|Gammon India Limited]] over a period of ten years, from 1972 to 1982. It was built to connect [[North Bihar]] with the rest of [[Bihar]]. Before this bridge was constructed, [[Rajendra Setu]], opened in 1959, was the only link to North Bihar. Since then, the [[Vikramshila Setu]] has also been built across the Ganges. Two more rail-cum-road bridges are currently under construction, between [[Patna|Digha]] and [[Sonepur, Bihar|Sonepur]]<ref>{{cite web|title= Digha Sonepur Rail Road Bridge to be operational by 2017|url= http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/07/digha-sonepur-rail-road-bridge-to-be-operational-by-2017/|access-date= 2014-09-08|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130706042004/http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/07/digha-sonepur-rail-road-bridge-to-be-operational-by-2017/|archive-date= 2013-07-06|url-status= dead}}</ref> and at [[Munger]].

'''A parallel Bridge is planned on Ganga, DPR Initiated'''

===Koilwar Bridge===
[[Koilwar Bridge]], now named Abdul Bari Bridge, at [[Koilwar]] spans the [[Son River|River Sone]]. The bridge has been named after [[Professor Abdul Bari]], academic and social reformer.
The Koilwar Bridge (known as Sone Bridge when it was built) is amongst the older of the longer bridges in this subcontinent. Although construction started in 1856, it was disrupted by uprisings in 1857 and completed in 1862. It was inaugurated by the Viceroy [[James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin|Lord Elgin]], who said, "... this magnificent bridge was exceeded in magnitude by only one bridge in the world". The {{convert|4726|ft}} bridge was designed by [[James Meadows Rendel (engineer)|James Meadows Rendel]] and Sir [[Matthew Digby Wyatt]]. It remained the longest bridge in the Indian subcontinent till was overtaken by the [[Nehru Setu|Upper Sone Bridge]] in 1900.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://irsme.nic.in/files/mmfiles/BRIDGES_RRB.pdf|format=pdf|title=Bridges: The Spectacular Feat of Indian Railways|publisher=National Informatics Centre|access-date=2011-07-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305002840/http://irsme.nic.in/files/mmfiles/BRIDGES_RRB.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-05|url-status=dead|df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://irse.bravehost.com/IRHTML.htm |title = Indian Railway History Timeline |publisher = |access-date = 2011-07-06 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120714085533/http://irse.bravehost.com/IRHTML.htm |archive-date = 2012-07-14 |url-status = dead |df = }}</ref>
The [[steel]] rail-road bridge is shown in the film ''[[Gandhi (film)|Gandhi]]''. A two lane road ([[National Highway 319 (India)|Old NH 30]]) runs just under the double rail tracks. Sand mining near the pillars of this old bridge has created structural problems recently.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iricen.gov.in/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=9158 |title=Koelwar Bridge, Bihar, India |access-date=2009-03-10 |last= |first= |work=Bihar |publisher=indian railway |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409094915/http://www.iricen.gov.in/modules.php?name=forums |archive-date=April 9, 2010 }}</ref>

===Rajendra Setu===
Rajendra Setu (also known as Rajendra Pul and Mokama Bridge) across the [[Ganges]] was the first bridge to link North Bihar and South Bihar. The road-cum-rail bridge near [[Mokama]] in Patna district was inaugurated by [[Rajendra Prasad|Dr. Rajendra Prasad]], President of India. It is about {{Convert|2|km}} long and carries a two lane road and a single line railway track.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-12/patna/28311455_1_new-bridge-girder-bridge-kiul | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120905125550/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-12/patna/28311455_1_new-bridge-girder-bridge-kiul | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 September 2012 |title = Rlys begins bridge renovation work |accessdate = 2011-07-03 | work = [[The Times of India]] | date=12 July 2010}}</ref> It was opened in 1959.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.irse.bravehost.com/irhpi.htm | title = Indian railways history (after independence) | publisher = Indian Railways | access-date = 2011-07-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111005074811/http://www.irse.bravehost.com/irhpi.htm | archive-date = 2011-10-05 | url-status = dead | df = }}</ref>
A four-lane road bridge, carrying [[National Highway 31 (India)|NH 31]], parallel to the existing rail and road bridge, has been planned.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110408/jsp/bihar/story_13823833.jsp|title = Four-lane connector over Sone, Ganga | publisher=The Telegraph, 8 April 2011 |accessdate =25 June 2011 }}</ref>

'''Construction is going to start for a parallel bridge to Rajendra Pul near Mokama, expected completion date by 2020'''

===Nehru Setu===
Nehru Setu (earlier referred to as the Upper Son Bridge), across the [[Son River]], between [[Dehri|Dehri-on-Son]] and [[Son Nagar]], in [[Bihar]], is the [[List of longest bridges in the world|second longest]] railway bridge in India, after [[Vembanad Rail Bridge]] in Kerala. However, the latter is meant only for goods traffic.<ref name="Vembanad Bridge">{{Cite news|newspaper=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article512225.ece|title=A bridge over Vembanad Lake|accessdate=25 June 2011|location=Chennai, India|date=12 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-indias-15-most-amazing-bridges/20110623.htm|title = India's 15 most amazing bridges|work=Vembanad Rail Bridge| publisher=Rediff.com|accessdate =27 June 2011 }}</ref> [[Jawahar Setu]], the road bridge carrying [[National Highway 2 (India)|NH 2]] and running parallel to the Nehru Setu, was constructed in 1963–65.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://profiles.google.com/dehrionsoneindia#dehrionsoneindia/about |title = Dehri on Son, India| publisher=Google Profiles|accessdate =25 June 2011 }}</ref> The Government of Bihar sanctioned in 2008, a bridge across the Son River connecting [[Arwal]] and Sahar in [[Bhojpur district, Bihar|Bojpur district]].<ref>{{cite web| url =http://www.thebihar.com/about-bihar/location/arwal/ |title = Arwal| website= The Bihar| date=31 March 2010|accessdate=3 July 2011}}</ref>
The [[Koilwar bridge]] preceded the Nehru Setu and was opened in 1862.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://irsme.nic.in/files/mmfiles/BRIDGES_RRB.pdf|format=pdf|title=Bridges: The Spectacular Feat of Indian Railways|publisher=National Informatics Centre|access-date=5 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305002840/http://irsme.nic.in/files/mmfiles/BRIDGES_RRB.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-05|url-status=dead|df=}}</ref> A four-lane road bridge, carrying [[National Highway 30 (India)|NH 30]], parallel to the existing rail and road Koilwar Bridge, has been planned.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110408/jsp/bihar/story_13823833.jsp|title = Four-lane connector over Sone, Ganga | newspaper=The Telegraph|accessdate =25 June 2011| location=Calcutta, India | date=8 April 2011}}</ref>
An anicut was constructed across the Son, a little upstream of the present Nehru Setu and Jawahar Setu, in 1873–74. The [[Indrapuri Barrage]] was constructed, 8 km upstream, and commissioned in 1968.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://oibsv2.iwmi.org/guidelines/India-Bihar_Upadhyaya.pdf |title = Performance Evaluation of Patna Main Canal | publisher=ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region|accessdate =25 June 2011 }}</ref>

===Jay Prakash Setu (JP Setu)===
[[File:Digha Sonpur bridge 3.jpg|right|thumb|Digha–Sonpur Bridge]]
Digha–Sonpur bridge, is a K-truss Bridge across river [[Ganges]], connecting [[Digha, Patna|Digha Ghat]] in [[Patna]] and [[Pahlejaghat Junction railway station|Pahleja Ghat]] in [[Sonpur, Bihar|Sonpur]]. The bridge was completed in August 2015. The bridge provides easy Roadway and Railway link between Northern and Southern parts of Bihar.<ref>{{cite web|title=Digha Sonepur Rail Road Bridge to be operational by 2017|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/07/digha-sonepur-rail-road-bridge-to-be-operational-by-2017/|work=Biharprabha News|accessdate=24 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706042004/http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/07/digha-sonepur-rail-road-bridge-to-be-operational-by-2017/|archive-date=6 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Earlier, [[Rajendra Setu]] was the only bridge that carries railway tracks across the [[Ganges]] in the state of Bihar. It was opened in 1959.<ref name=toi>{{cite news| url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-12/patna/28311455_1_new-bridge-girder-bridge-kiul | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120905125550/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-12/patna/28311455_1_new-bridge-girder-bridge-kiul | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2012-09-05 |title = Rlys begins bridge renovation work |accessdate = 2011-07-06 | work = [[The Times of India]] |date=2010-07-12}}</ref><ref name=history>{{cite web | url = http://www.irse.bravehost.com/irhpi.htm | title = Indian railways history (after independence) | publisher = Indian Railways | access-date = 2011-07-06 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111005074811/http://www.irse.bravehost.com/irhpi.htm | archive-date = 2011-10-05 | url-status = dead | df = }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url =http://railways-forgets.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html |title = Indian Railways’ Forgotten Frontier – Tribals Travel on Rooftops |work =Again in Bihar: 930 crore and 625 crore rail cum road bridges | publisher = |accessdate = 2011-07-07 }}</ref>
Initially sanctioned as a rail bridge, the Ganga Rail Bridge project was converted to a rail-cum-road bridge in 2006. Total cost of the project was put at {{INR}}13,890 million, out of which {{INR}}8,350 million was for the rail part, and {{INR}}5,540 million was for the road part. It was expected to be completed in five years.<ref>{{cite web| url =http://news.oneindia.in/2006/09/07/enlargement-of-rail-bridge-over-ganga-near-patna-approved-by-ccea-1157622599.html |title = Enlargement of rail bridge over Ganga near Patna approved by CCEA | publisher= one india news|accessdate = 2011-07-06 }}</ref>
When completed, the {{convert|4556|m}} bridge would be amongst the [[List of longest bridges above water in India|longer bridges]] in India.<ref name=hindu>{{cite news| url = http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/13/stories/2009101351860300.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091022114304/http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/13/stories/2009101351860300.htm| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2009-10-22|title = ‘Rail bridge over Ganga would be nation’s pride’ |accessdate = 2011-07-06|location=Chennai, India| work = [[The Hindu]]|date=2009-10-13}}</ref> The total length of construction, including approaches, would be 20 km.<ref name="Trains in India">{{cite web| url = http://www.ppnow.com/other/trains-in-india/| title = Trains in India| publisher = PPPNOW.com| access-date = 2011-07-06| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120328025642/http://ppnow.com/other/trains-in-india/| archive-date = 2012-03-28| df = }}</ref> It would be a K-truss bridge.<ref>{{cite web| url =http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?id=s0010016 |title = Ganga River Railroad Bridge at Patna | publisher=Structurae |accessdate = 2011-07-06 }}</ref>
According to a media report the bridge is expected to be completed by 2017.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120308/jsp/bihar/story_15185406.jsp#.UJkPQmckPCA|title = New deadline for rail bridge | publisher= The Telegraph, 8 March 2012|accessdate = 2012-11-06|location=Calcutta, India|first=Amit|last=Bhelari|date=2012-03-08}}</ref> Rail part of the bridge was inaugurated on 12 March 2016.

===Vikramshila Setu===
[[File:Vikramshila Setu.jpg|175px|right|thumb|Vikramshila Setu]]
Vikramshila Setu is a bridge across the [[Ganges]], near [[Bhagalpur]] named after [[Vikramashila]] Mahavihara which was established by King Dharmapala (783 to 820 AD).
Vikramshila Setu is 3rd longest bridge in India and 118 rank in world longest bridge in world The {{convert|4.7|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} bridge serves as a link between [[National Highway 80 (India)|NH 80]] and [[National Highway 31 (India)|NH 31]] running on the opposite sides of the [[Ganges]]. It runs from Barari Ghat on the [[Bhagalpur]] side on the south bank of the [[Ganges]] to [[Naugachia]] on the north bank. It also connects Bhagalpur to Purnia and Katihar. This has reduced considerably the road travel distance between [[Bhagalpur]] and places across the Ganges.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://karnabhumi.blogspot.com/2009/08/vikramshila-setu.html |title = Vikramshila Setu| publisher= Bhagalpur, Land of Art, Culture and Education |accessdate = 2011-07-06 }}</ref>

===Sri Krishna Setu ===
'''Sri Krishna Setu '''( Munger Ganga Bridge) is a rail-cum-road bridge under construction across the [[Ganges]], at [[Munger]]. The bridge will connect Munger-Jamalpur twin cities to various districts of [[North Bihar]].
The {{convert|3.19|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} bridge costing Rs. 9,300 million is located 55 km downstream of the [[Rajendra Setu]] near Mokama and 68 km upstream of the [[Vikramshila Setu]] at Bhagalpur. The bridge will form a link between [[National Highway 80 (India)|NH 80]] on the southern side of the Ganges and [[National Highway 31 (India)|NH 31]] on the northern side of the Ganges. It will also help to connect [[Jamalpur Junction]] on the [[Sahibganj Loop]] line of Eastern Railway to [[Sahebpur Kamal Junction]] on the [[Barauni-Katihar section]] of East Central Railway.<ref name="Trains in India"/> The Bridge will connect districts of [[Begusarai]] and [[Khagaria]] to the Divisional headquarters Munger city.
Construction work on the bridge was inaugurated by [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]], Prime Minister, through video conference system, in 2002.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-12-27/patna/27303527_1_mega-rail-rail-projects-road-bridge| 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| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2012-09-08|title = PM opens work on Munger rail-cum-road bridge project|accessdate = 2011-07-06| work = [[The Times of India]]|date=2002-12-27}}</ref>

===Bakhtiyarpur-Tajpur Bridge===
The Bakhtiyarpur-Tajpur Bridge currently under construction, will span the river [[Ganges]], connecting [[Bakhtiyarpur]] in [[Patna]] and Tajpur in [[Samastipur]]. Upon completion in March 2015, the bridge would provide easy Roadway link between Northern and Southern parts of Bihar.
Former chief minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the construction of the {{convert|5.575|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} bridge in June 2011.<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|accessdate = 2011-07-06 }}</ref> Upon completion in 2015 the bridge will decongest the load on [[Mahatma Gandhi Setu]] and also reduce the traffic in the capital city of [[Patna]].
A bridge has been planned across the Ganges to connect [[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 |accessdate = 2011-07-06 |location=Calcutta, India |first=Rakesh K. |last=Singh |date=2010-12-30}}</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 |accessdate = 2011-07-06|location=Calcutta, India|date=2011-04-08}}</ref>
The bridge would be 5.575 km bridge constructed at PPP mode across river Ganga that will connect [[Bakhtiyarpur]] in [[Patna district]] on NH 31 and Tajpur in [[Samastipur district]] on NH 28. The bridge will also require construction of altogether 45.393 km stretch of approach roads on both ends of the bridge.
The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 1602.74 crore out of which Rs 100 crores will be spent on acquiring land. Atfirst, Rs 917.74 crore is to be invested by Navayuga Engineering Company Limited (NECL) as viability gap fund on PPP basis. Rs 277.50 crore are to be invested by the Centre and Rs 307.50 crore by the state government. The Bihar government would also bear the expenses incurred on acquiring land. NECL, a Hyderabad base firm was selected through competitive bidding.

===Aguani Ghat Bridge===
This Cable Stayed Bridge connects Aguwani Ghat (Khagaria District) and Sultanganj (Bhagalpur District) by crossing river Ganga in the State of Bihar.

The Project length comprises approach road of 25 km and bridge having length of 3.160 km including Cable Stayed span of 550m (150m+250m+150m). After completion, the travelling distance between Mithilanchal and Kosi region would be reduced by 50 km and the distance between Munger and Khagaria would be reduced to 35 km which will result in reduction in overall travel time, reducing traffic congestion, providing smooth connectivity and an alternative route to Vikramshila Setu. The proposed bridge is located at a distance of around 200 km from Patna.

The project involves the construction of a 3.16 km four-lane bridge. It includes the construction of pedestrian ways, medians and supporting walls, the installation of lighting system, safety and security systems, and the laying of street lines.

On 10 March 2014 tenders for construction contract were issued, with a submission deadline of 4 April 2014. SP Singla Constructions Pvt. Ltd has been appointed as construction contractor for the project. Rodic Consultants Pvt Ltd has been appointed as consultant and Cube Engitech Consultant Pvt Ltd as design consultant. Construction began on 9 March 2015 and are expected to be completed by November 2019.

==Solutions==
It is not that the government is not working in the direction, but the steps taken are still a fraction of what is needed. Bihar Government is planning to build two [[Pontoon bridges]] in parallel to Ganga Setu, in order to ease traffic on Ganga Setu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/02/govt-planning-to-build-2-pontoon-bridges-parallel-to-gandhi-setu-in-patna|title = Bihar government planning to build two Pontoon Bridges in Parallel to Ganga Setu | publisher=biharprabha, 15 February 2014 |location=Patna, India}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of longest bridges in the world]]
*[[List of longest bridges above water in India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Hydrography of Bihar}}

[[Category:Bridges in Bihar| ]]
[[Category:Lists of bridges in India]]
[[Category:Bihar-related lists]]

Bridges in Bihar - Revision history

>ItsSkV08 at 13:48, 18 June 2021