Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Aunta–Simaria Six-Lane Bridge over the Ganga River in Begusarai district, Bihar, on 22 August 2025. Constructed at a cost of over ₹1,870 crore, the bridge has been built parallel to the historic Rajendra Setu and is expected to significantly improve connectivity between North Bihar and South Bihar. During the visit, the Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of projects worth nearly ₹12,992 crore spanning sectors such as energy, health and urban development.
The inauguration of the Aunta–Simaria Bridge marks another major milestone in Bihar's transport infrastructure. The project is aimed at addressing one of the state's long-standing connectivity bottlenecks by providing an alternative to the ageing Rajendra Setu, which had become inadequate for increasing traffic volumes and the movement of heavy commercial vehicles.The 1.86-km-long six-lane bridge, constructed on National Highway-31, has been developed at a cost exceeding ₹1,870 crore. Built parallel to the existing two-lane rail-cum-road Rajendra Setu, it substantially enhances the carrying capacity across the Ganga and improves the efficiency of freight and passenger movement.One of the most significant benefits of the bridge is the direct connectivity between Mokama (Patna district) and Begusarai, eliminating the need for heavy vehicles to undertake detours of over 100 kilometres. This will reduce travel time, fuel consumption, logistics costs and vehicular congestion while improving supply chain efficiency across Bihar.The bridge is strategically important because it connects several districts of North Bihar, including Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani, Purnea and Araria, with districts of South Bihar, such as Sheikhpura, Nawada and Lakhisarai. Better connectivity is expected to promote regional trade, agricultural marketing, industrial movement and balanced economic development.Apart from its economic significance, the bridge also strengthens religious and cultural tourism by improving access to Simaria Dham, an important pilgrimage centre situated on the banks of the Ganga. Simaria is also widely known as the birthplace of Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, thereby adding cultural importance to the project.During the event, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones of development projects worth approximately ₹12,992 crore, covering sectors such as energy, healthcare and urban infrastructure. Such investments are expected to create employment opportunities, improve public service delivery and strengthen Bihar's industrial ecosystem.The project aligns with the Government of India's broader emphasis on integrated infrastructure development, multimodal connectivity and regional economic integration. Improved road connectivity across the Ganga complements initiatives such as the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, logistics improvement, freight efficiency and corridor-based economic development.From the perspective of disaster management, the availability of an additional bridge across the Ganga also enhances emergency response capability by ensuring uninterrupted connectivity during floods, maintenance activities or unforeseen disruptions on existing infrastructure.Overall, the Aunta–Simaria Bridge is expected to contribute to reduced transportation costs, improved interstate and intrastate connectivity, higher economic productivity, tourism promotion, and balanced regional development, making it one of Bihar's important transport infrastructure projects.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Project | Aunta–Simaria Six-Lane Bridge |
| River | Ganga |
| Location | Begusarai–Mokama Corridor |
| Length | 1.86 km |
| Cost | Over ₹1,870 crore |
| Highway | National Highway-31 |
| Inaugurated By | Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| Date | 22 August 2025 |
| Parallel Bridge | Rajendra Setu |
| Development Projects Announced | Nearly ₹12,992 crore |
The bridge significantly improves connectivity between North Bihar and South Bihar, reducing travel time and transport costs.
Reduced detours for freight movement will lower logistics costs, improve supply chains and support industrial as well as agricultural trade.
The project improves access to Simaria Dham, an important pilgrimage centre and the birthplace of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.
The bridge complements India's emphasis on modern highway infrastructure and capacity enhancement under national connectivity initiatives.
Improved transport infrastructure encourages balanced regional growth, investment and employment generation.
Updated – 22 August 2025; 05:16 PM IST | News Source –NDTV