Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Aunta–Simaria six-lane bridge on Friday in Bihar.
Spanning 1.86 kilometres across the Ganga River and measuring 34 meters in width, the bridge is now the widest extradosed cable-stayed bridge in Asia.
Built on National Highway 31, the bridge connects Aunta Ghat in Mokama with Simaria in Begusarai, offering a direct route between North and South Bihar. The project is expected to reduce travel time by eliminating detours of nearly 100 kilometres for freight and passenger vehicles, especially those previously rerouted due to restrictions on the ageing Rajendra Setu.
The bridge’s advanced engineering—featuring cantilever arms up to 70 meters—ensures durability and smooth traffic flow. It also strengthens access to Simaria Dham, a revered religious site and birthplace of poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh called the bridge a “milestone in Bihar’s development,” citing its role in boosting trade, especially for makhana farmers and industrial hubs like Barauni. Road Construction Minister Nitin Navin described it as a “landmark project” that positions Bihar as a future growth engine of India.
Beyond its technical marvel, the bridge symbolises a deeper integration of Bihar’s cultural, economic, and social landscape—ushering in a new era of connectivity and opportunity.
