PM Modi to inaugurate Aunta–Simaria Ganga bridge, easing freight movement and cutting logistics distance across Bihar by 100 km.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Aunta–Simaria Ganga bridge, a landmark infrastructure project on National Highway 31 set to reshape logistics and freight movement in Bihar.
Constructed at a cost of ₹1,870 crore, the six-lane, 1.86 km-long bridge with over 8 km of approaches will directly link Mokama in Patna district with Begusarai. For freight carriers and heavy vehicles, the bridge eliminates detours and will cut north–south travel distance by more than 100 km, delivering significant time and cost savings.
The project comes as a major relief for the logistics sector. Heavy vehicle traffic had been restricted on the 70-year-old Rajendra Setu rail-cum-road bridge, forcing long reroutes. With the new bridge, freight operators can now move goods seamlessly between North Bihar districts (Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani, Purnea, and Araria) and South Bihar hubs such as Sheikhpura, Nawada, and Lakhisarai, which are vital for raw material supply.
By reducing congestion and accelerating vehicle turnaround times, the bridge is expected to boost logistics efficiency, reduce fuel costs, and support industrial growth in the region. It also strengthens supply chain connectivity to Jharkhand, a key source of essential materials for North Bihar.
Beyond freight, the project will enhance connectivity to Simaria Dham while easing passenger movement across the state. But industry watchers see its biggest impact in cargo mobility and the creation of a more reliable logistics corridor.
Bihar’s Road Construction Minister, Nitin Navin, called the project a symbol of economic momentum: “This bridge will reduce the distance between North and South Bihar. The Prime Minister sees Bihar as the next growth engine, and this bridge is a strong step in that direction.”
With this inauguration, Bihar takes a decisive stride in strengthening its logistics backbone, ensuring faster freight movement and paving the way for greater economic integration.
Source: Mint
