Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation the 8.15 km long Aunta-Simaria bridge project on NH-31 on Thursday. A key highlight of this project is the newly constructed 1.86 km six-lane bridge over the Ganga river, built at a cost of more than ₹1,870 crore. The bridge will provide direct road connectivity between Mokama and Begusarai in Patna, running parallel to the old and deteriorating two-lane Rajendra Setu.
The project is expected to significantly improve road transport between North Bihar districts such as Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani, Purnia, and Araria and South Bihar regions including Sheikhpura, Nawada, and Lakhisarai.
Due to the poor condition of the Rajendra Setu, heavy vehicles were forced to take long detours, adding nearly 100 km to their travel. The new bridge will eliminate this problem, reduce traffic congestion, and save both time and fuel. It is also expected to provide a major push to the economy of North Bihar, which relies on South Bihar and Jharkhand for essential raw materials.
Key Features of the Project
Total cost: ₹1,871 crore
Bridge length on Ganga: 1.865 km
Total project length (with approach road): 8.150 km
Time taken for completion: Around 10 years
PM Modi described the bridge as a “historic project that will bring revolutionary changes in the connectivity between North and South Bihar,” in a social media post, also sharing a video of the structure.
Reducing the Burden of the 70-Year-Old Rajendra Setu
The only road link so far between Mokama and Simaria was the Rajendra Setu, inaugurated in 1959 during the tenure of Bihar’s first Chief Minister Shri Krishna Singh. Over the decades, rising traffic led to severe congestion on the two-lane bridge, making a larger alternative imperative.
The foundation stone for this six-lane Mahasetu was laid by PM Modi in 2017 during a public program in Mokama. The bridge forms part of the special package for Bihar announced by the Prime Minister in 2015. After nearly a decade of construction, this ambitious project is now ready for public use.
Additional Infrastructure Projects
Along with the Aunta-Simaria bridge, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate a 44.6 km four-lane highway from Bakhtiyarpur to Mokama, built at a cost of ₹1,899 crore. This road will complement existing infrastructure, as:
A four-lane highway already connects Patna to Bakhtiyarpur.
The widening of the Simaria to Khagaria stretch has been completed.
Work is underway on the Khagaria to Purnia four-lane highway.
These projects together are set to transform connectivity across Bihar, strengthen links to the northeast, and boost industry and trade in the state.
