Patna: Work has started on a new bridge over the Punpun river at Kinjar on the Arwal–Jehanabad National Highway (NH-33), with authorities simultaneously imposing restrictions on heavy vehicle movement over the ageing existing structure.
The new bridge, to be built parallel to the current one at an estimated cost of Rs 18 crore, has been awarded to Giriraj Stone Private Limited. Officials say the priority is to complete all pier foundations before the onset of the monsoon season. Boring work has already begun at the site.
Indrajit Arya, executive engineer for NH-33, said construction had formally commenced and confirmed that all pillars are expected to be completed before the rains. He also said land acquisition for approach roads would begin shortly.
The existing RCC bridge, described by officials as structurally weakened, has shown signs of significant deterioration, including cracks in multiple piers and damage to brickwork at the base. As a precaution, the movement of heavy vehicles has been prohibited on the structure until the new bridge is completed.
Despite the restrictions, officials said iron barricades placed at both ends of the bridge have been repeatedly breached at night, with three to four such incidents reported so far. The barriers have had to be reinstalled multiple times.
Longer detours for freight traffic
The diversion has significantly altered freight movement between Arwal and Jehanabad. The direct 35-kilometre route via Kinjar is now unavailable for heavy vehicles, forcing detours ranging between 16 and 25 kilometres depending on the route taken.
One diversion requires vehicles from Arwal, Aurangabad and Bhojpur to travel via NH-139 to Paliganj in Patna district, then proceed along SH-68 through Kinjar, adding roughly 25 kilometres to the journey.
Another route takes vehicles through Ataullah Bazar on NH-33, connecting to SH-68 via Khiri Mor before reaching Jehanabad via Kinjar, increasing the distance by around 18 kilometres.
A third alternative runs from Baidrabad in Arwal via SH-69 through Karpi to Kurtha, then onward on rural roads to Kinjar and Jehanabad, adding approximately 16 kilometres. However, officials noted that this route is less viable for heavy vehicles due to poor rural road conditions beyond Kurtha.
Authorities say the restrictions will remain in place until the completion of the new bridge, which is expected to ease traffic pressure and replace the deteriorating colonial-era structure.
