Bihar is set to witness a historic moment in its infrastructure story as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Aunta–Simaria six-lane bridge over the Ganga on August 22, 2025. Touted as Asia’s widest extra-dosed stay cable bridge with a deck width of 39 metres, this engineering marvel is not only a technological landmark but also a lifeline for millions across North and South Bihar.
A Bridge That Redefines Connectivity
Built at a cost of nearly Rs 1,871 crore, the Aunta–Simaria bridge stretches 8.15 kilometres, including a 1.865 km-long main span supported by 18 towering pillars and 600 precision-engineered segments. The bridge is located on the NH-31 corridor, linking Mokama (Patna district) with Begusarai, and serves as a modern alternative to the seven-decade-old Rajendra Setu, which has long been under strain from repairs and growing traffic.
The bridge is designed with three-lane carriageways of 13 metres each on both sides, plus 1.5-metre-wide footpaths, ensuring smooth passage for both vehicles and pedestrians. Heavy vehicles, once forced onto lengthy detours due to restrictions on Rajendra Setu, will now save up to 100 km of travel distance, slashing transport time, fuel costs, and operational expenses.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who also oversees Bihar’s Finance Department, underlined the significance of the project in a post on X: "Bihar's connectivity is getting a new dimension... The 8.15 km long Aunta-Simaria 6-lane Ganga bridge, built at a cost of 1,871 crore rupees, is ready. On August 22, Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and Chief Minister Shri @NitishKumar ji will inaugurate this bridge. This will better connect North and South Bihar and give new momentum to traffic and industrial development in the region."
Smart Infrastructure Meets Engineering Excellence
Dubbed a “smart bridge,” the Aunta–Simaria project goes beyond size and scale. It comes equipped with CCTV cameras, telephones, digital display screens, landscaped plantations, milky LED streetlights, and modern roundabouts. Its extra-dosed segmental structure with spans ranging from 57 to 115 metres demonstrates India’s growing prowess in advanced bridge engineering.
Laid as a foundation stone project by PM Modi in October 2017, the bridge now stands as a shining symbol of progress, ready to transform the connectivity of the region.
Economic and Cultural Impact
For Bihar, the bridge is more than an engineering feat—it’s a connector of people, markets, and opportunities. By directly linking districts like Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani, and Araria in the north with Patna, Sheikhpura, Nawada, and Lakhisarai in the south, it is expected to give a major boost to trade, local industries, and regional development.
The bridge also improves accessibility to Simaria Dham, a sacred pilgrimage site and the birthplace of legendary poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, blending cultural heritage with modern infrastructure.
A Milestone for Bihar’s Future
As the inauguration ceremony brings together the Prime Minister, Governor, Chief Minister, and Union Ministers, the Aunta–Simaria bridge will be remembered not just as Asia’s widest bridge, but as a symbol of Bihar’s renewed growth and resilience. For residents, it means faster journeys, better economic prospects, and a stronger link to the rest of the nation.
With its scale, design, and transformative potential, the Aunta–Simaria bridge embodies the spirit of a modern India—bridging distances, empowering communities, and driving progress.
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