Bhagalpur: Preparations for the permanent restoration of Vikramshila Setu have gained momentum, with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) preparing to deploy its full launching team in Bhagalpur by August 26.
The dismantling of the Bailey bridges installed at four locations on the bridge is scheduled to begin on August 29. The dismantling process is expected to take around five to six days, after which permanent restoration of the damaged sections will begin.
The BRO has received formal communication from the government regarding the repair schedule.
BRO team to arrive by August 26
According to BRO Superintending Engineer Vipin Kumar Chand, a maintenance team is already stationed in Bhagalpur.
The complete launching team required for dismantling the Bailey bridges is expected to arrive by August 26, with arrangements for their travel currently being finalised.
The Bailey bridges will be removed once the main bridge is closed for repair work on August 29.
Steel bridges to replace Bailey structures
Under the permanent repair plan, steel bridges will be constructed at the four locations where the Bailey bridges are currently installed.
New concrete deck slabs will subsequently be placed over the steel structures to restore the damaged portions of Vikramshila Setu.
Steel girders and structural beams for the deck slabs have already started arriving in Bhagalpur from Panchkula in Haryana and Meerut.
Officials expect the remaining material to arrive within the next two to three days, allowing restoration work to proceed without unnecessary delays after the Bailey bridges are dismantled.
₹99 crore restoration project
The permanent restoration work will be executed by SP Singla, with the project estimated to cost around ₹99 crore.
Officials have been instructed to adhere to the schedule and ensure that construction work begins promptly following the closure of the bridge.
Construction materials are being arranged in advance so that restoration activities can be accelerated once the bridge is closed.
Bridge targeted to reopen by November 30
Authorities have set November 30, 2026, as the target for completing the permanent repair and reopening Vikramshila Setu to traffic.
The dismantling of the Bailey bridges will begin immediately after the bridge is closed on August 29, with permanent restoration work to follow.
Officials have indicated that every effort will be made to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe.
Traffic management remains a challenge
The closure of Vikramshila Setu will create a major challenge for the Bhagalpur district administration, which will have to maintain alternative arrangements for the movement of vehicles and the general public between Bhagalpur and Naugachia during the repair period.
With Vikramshila Setu serving as a crucial road link in the region, traffic management during the nearly three-month restoration period will remain a key concern.
If the repair work proceeds according to schedule, the bridge is expected to reopen by November 30, providing a permanent solution to the damaged sections.
