Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur bridge expected to open by June

Patna: The Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur six-lane bridge over the Ganga river is expected to open for commuters by June this year. Once fully operational, the bridge will strengthen connectivity between north and south Bihar.The construction of the bridge is in its final stage with the recent installation of the last segment on the pier. Being built at a cost of Rs4,988 crore, the total length of the project is about 19.5km with the approach road, while the bridge is 9.75km long. The project is being executed by L&T and South Korean company Daewoo Joint Venture, with the design prepared by the Korean firm. Once operational, the journey from Patna to Vaishali, Samastipur, Darbhanga and Madhubani will become easier. Currently, commuters rely on Gandhi Setu or JP Setu, which often face traffic jams, according to officials.The last segment of the bridge was successfully installed on Pier No. 61. With the launch of the final segment, the main construction work of the bridge is complete. Blacktopping work on most sections of the bridge has also been finished. Officials said this raises the possibility of traffic movement starting by June.Being constructed by the Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL), the Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur six-lane bridge promises to redefine the region’s transportation landscape by connecting Patna to Raghopur in Vaishali district. The infrastructure will provide a crucial connection between NH-31 and NH-322.BSRDCL managing director Shirshat Kapil Ashok said the bridge will be fully ready for traffic by the end of May 2026. He added that the bridge will write a new chapter in road connectivity.According to a BSRDCL official, “The Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur six-lane bridge will span the Ganga river, connecting Kacchi Dargah in Patna and Bidupur at Hajipur in Vaishali district. The starting point of the bridge is Patna-Bakhtiyarpur four-lane on NH-30 (Sabalpur) in Patna, while the endpoint is between Chak Sikandar and Ghazipur Chowk on NH-103, Samastipur.”The bridge features cable support with 150-metre spans between piers suspended by cables. The project utilises 15.2 mm cables imported from South Korea.The state govt took a Rs3,000-crore loan from the Asian Development Bank for the bridge. The state govt has spent about Rs 2,000 crore from its own resources. The bridge is 32 metres wide and vehicles can run at up to 100 km per hour on it.