Patna: Construction of the new four-lane bridge over the Ganga river alongside the Mahatma Gandhi Setu in Patna has missed its original deadline, with only 70 percent of the work completed despite five years having passed since the project began.
The Rs 2,926 crore project, which includes a 14.5-kilometre-long bridge and approach roads, was awarded in March 2021 and was initially scheduled for completion by September 2024. However, the executing agency has now revised the timeline, claiming the project will be completed by March 2027.
Officials said the delay has occurred even though the project did not face major hurdles such as land acquisition issues or technical constraints.
The new bridge, being constructed approximately 38 metres west of the existing structure, will span 5.63 kilometres across the Ganga. In addition, an eight-lane-wide approach road is being developed from Pahari Zero Mile in Patna to Hajipur BSNL Chowk, integrating both the old and new bridges.
On the Patna side, the approach road will extend 3.38 kilometres, including a 1.56-kilometre elevated stretch, while the Hajipur side will have a 5.48-kilometre approach road. A flyover is also being constructed as part of the project.
Under the agreement between the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the construction agency Singla, the contractor will also be responsible for maintaining the bridge for 10 years after its completion.
Once operational, the combined infrastructure of the old and new bridges is expected to create an eight-lane corridor, significantly improving connectivity between Patna and north Bihar, as well as easing access for commuters from eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Authorities plan to install an advanced traffic monitoring system at key junctions to regulate vehicular movement. The project is expected to reduce frequent traffic congestion caused by heavy vehicles, which currently affects commuters on the Patna bypass and in several parts of southern Patna.
The delay, however, continues to impact daily commuters, with long traffic jams remaining a persistent issue in the region.
