KKN Gurugram Desk | In an effort to enhance connectivity and boost infrastructure in Bihar, the state government has laid out an ambitious plan to construct new bridges and expand the road network across the region. By 2035, people will be able to travel to Patna from any part of Bihar in just three hours, marking a significant leap towards modernizing transportation in the state.

The state’s ambitious vision, termed as Developed India 2047 Roadmap, has outlined multiple projects aimed at improving connectivity and reducing travel time across Bihar. As part of these initiatives, the Department of Road Construction has already commenced actions to build 12 new bridges over the major rivers of the state, including the Ganga, Son, Gandak, and Koshi rivers.

Key Infrastructure Developments: New Bridges and Roads

Bihar is home to numerous rivers, and the construction of bridges over these waterways is essential to improve accessibility and reduce travel time. Currently, 24 bridges are operational on these four major rivers, with 15 more under construction. Once these projects are completed, the total number of bridges will rise to 51 on these four rivers. The additional bridges will be strategically located to connect more remote areas and ensure smooth, uninterrupted travel.

In a major step forward, the state’s Road Construction Minister, Nitin Naveen, has emphasized that the state is situated in the water catchment areas of the Himalayan rivers, which is why building bridges over the rivers is imperative for smoother transportation.

Focus on Bridging the Gap: 12 New Bridges

The Department of Road Construction is already working on building 12 new bridges on these rivers. Below is an overview of the proposed bridge developments:

1. Ganga River: Currently, there are 7 bridges, and 9 more are under construction. An additional 3 new bridges will be built soon.

2. Son River: There are currently 5 bridges, with 1 more under construction. 2 new bridges will be constructed.

3. Gandak River: 7 bridges are operational, with 3 more under construction. 4 new bridges will be added to this network.

4. Koshi River: Currently, there are 5 bridges, and 2 are under construction. 3 new bridges will be added.

Plans for the New Bridges:

The bridges will be constructed in strategic locations across the state to ensure efficient and faster transportation. Here are the specifics:

• Ganga River:

  • Buxar: A three-lane bridge will be built parallel to the existing one.

  • Matiyani-Samho: A six-lane bridge will be constructed on the Raxaul-Haldia Expressway.

  • Kahalgaon: A four-lane bridge will be constructed.

• Son River:

  • Bridges will be built as part of the Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata Expressway and the Patna-Ara-Sasaram alignment.

• Gandak River:

  • VTAR Bypass: A four-lane bridge will be built.

  • Patjirwa: A four-lane bridge will be constructed on the NH 727A alignment.

  • Sattargarh: A four-lane bridge will be constructed on the Ram Janaki Marg.

• Koshi River:

  • A six-lane bridge will be constructed on the Gorakhpur-Siliguri route.

  • A six-lane bridge will be constructed near Simri-Bakhtiyarpur as part of the Patna-Purnia alignment.

  • An additional four-lane bridge will be built in Kurseela.

Impact on Travel and Connectivity:

The overarching goal is to ensure that by 2035, people will be able to reach Patna from any part of Bihar in just three hours. This ambitious target will significantly reduce the travel time across the state, improve economic opportunities, and enhance access to education, healthcare, and employment.

Apart from the construction of bridges, the state government plans to expand 5000 kilometers of single-lane roads into dual-lane or wider roads. This is expected to further streamline traffic and ensure smoother commutes for the citizens of Bihar. These developments align with the Developed India 2047 Roadmap, which aims to make India a modern, infrastructure-driven economy by the year 2047.

The expansion of roads, along with the construction of these new bridges, will play a key role in achieving the goal of reducing travel time to three hours for any part of Bihar.