Bhagalpur/Patna: Traffic on the Vikramshila Setu will be completely suspended from the morning of August 29 as authorities begin work to replace the temporary Bailey bridge installed over a damaged section of the structure.
According to Shashi Bhushan Kumar, senior project engineer at the Bridge Construction Corporation in Khagaria, barricading will begin at midnight on August 28. Both vehicles and pedestrians will be barred from using the bridge once the closure takes effect.
The authorities are targeting November 30 for the restoration of permanent and uninterrupted traffic on the bridge.
Why Is the Bridge Being Closed?
The closure has been planned to speed up construction of a permanent concrete slab over the damaged section.
The temporary Bailey bridge was installed after a section of the Vikramshila Setu collapsed. While it allowed traffic to resume, officials said it had contributed to frequent and lengthy traffic congestion.
The decision to begin the repair work on August 28, rather than the earlier proposed date of September 15, has been taken to expedite the permanent restoration, according to officials.
Four Superstructures to Be Replaced
The damaged section requires several structural components to be replaced.
According to Kumar, the required structure and truss components are being fabricated in Haryana and are expected to reach Bhagalpur next week. Work to remove the existing Bailey bridge is expected to begin in the first week of September.
The repair programme will include replacement of four superstructures, expansion joints and bearings, along with construction of the permanent concrete slab.
Alternative Routes Being Prepared
The complete closure is expected to affect commuters travelling between North and South Bihar, including people from the Anga, Kosi and Seemanchal regions.
Authorities are preparing alternative arrangements, including traffic diversions and ferry services. A joint meeting involving the Road Construction Minister, senior officials from the department’s Patna headquarters and the district administration is expected to finalise the diversion plan.
Officials are expected to announce the alternative routes and other arrangements before the closure comes into effect.
What Happened to Vikramshila Setu?
A section of the bridge measuring approximately 34 metres collapsed between pillars 4 and 5 on the night of May 3, falling into the Ganga, according to the information provided by officials.
A temporary Bailey bridge was subsequently installed to restore traffic movement across the damaged section.
The temporary arrangement helped reopen the bridge to traffic but also led to congestion, prompting authorities to accelerate the permanent repair programme.
Permanent Traffic Targeted for November 30
The authorities have set November 30 as the target for restoring permanent traffic movement on the Vikramshila Setu.
The timeline will depend on the removal of the Bailey bridge, arrival of the fabricated structural components and completion of the replacement and repair work.
Until the work is completed, commuters will need to use the alternative arrangements announced by the administration during the three-month closure
