Bhagalpur/Patna: Vehicle movement on the Vikramshila Setu will be completely suspended from midnight on Wednesday to facilitate permanent construction work on the bridge, forcing a major shift of passenger and vehicle traffic to ferry and cargo services on the Ganges.
The administration has approved the operation of 10 to 12 vessels, ranging from small ferries to larger cargo vessels, during the closure. A team from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has already arrived in Bhagalpur to begin dismantling the four sections of the Bailey bridges from Thursday.
Ferry And Cargo Services From Three Ghats
According to District Magistrate Alankrita Pandey, ferry services will operate from the BIADA (Barari Industrial Area) ghat on the Bhagalpur side, while cargo vessels will operate from the Babupur-Sabour ghat.
On the Naugachia side, vessels will operate from the Janhvi Chowk ghat.
The arrangement is intended to maintain connectivity for passengers and vehicles between Bhagalpur and Naugachia while the bridge remains closed.
Pedestrians, Cyclists And Motorcyclists To Travel Free
The administration has decided that pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists using the vessels will not be charged a fare.
Other vehicles will have to pay the prescribed charges.
| Vehicle | Fare |
| Auto-rickshaw/Toto | Rs 150 |
| Loaded tractor | Rs 500 |
| Unloaded tractor | Rs 250 |
| Loaded pickup | Rs 600 |
| Unloaded pickup | Rs 300 |
| Jeep, car, Scorpio | Rs 700 |
| Loaded 10-wheeler | Rs 3,800 |
| Unloaded 10-wheeler | Rs 1,900 |
| Loaded 12-wheeler | Rs 4,400 |
| Unloaded 12-wheeler | Rs 2,200 |
| Loaded 14-wheeler | Rs 4,500 |
| Unloaded 14-wheeler | Rs 2,250 |
| Loaded 16-wheeler | Rs 4,800 |
| Unloaded 16-wheeler | Rs 2,400 |
| Loaded 18-wheeler | Rs 5,000 |
| Unloaded 18-wheeler | Rs 2,500 |
Facilities At Ghats
The administration will establish ticket counters, medical camps, Jivika kitchens and toilets at the designated ghats.
Officials said arrangements are being made to minimise inconvenience to passengers and vehicle operators during the bridge closure. The administration will also monitor the vessels to ensure that operators do not charge fares above the prescribed rates.
Magistrates and police personnel will be deployed on the vessels, while security arrangements will also be strengthened at the ghats.
SSP Pramod Kumar Yadav said adequate arrangements would be made to ensure passenger safety during the operation.
Boat Operations Restricted Due To High Water Level
The Ganges is currently flowing at a high level. The administration has therefore decided to continue the existing ban on regular boat operations in the interest of safety.
Vessel operations will also not be conducted from Barari Pul Ghat because construction work is currently underway there.
BRO To Begin Bailey Bridge Dismantling
Once traffic on Vikramshila Setu is suspended, the BRO team will begin dismantling the four sections of the Bailey bridge from Thursday.
Permanent construction work on the bridge will begin after the Bailey bridge is removed.
With the bridge unavailable during this period, the administration’s ferry and cargo arrangements are expected to become the main alternative for passengers and vehicles travelling between Bhagalpur and Naugachia.
