Bihar is set to get a major boost to its road infrastructure with the inauguration of the 19.76-kilometre-long Kacchi Dargah-Raghopur-Bidupur six-lane bridge over the Ganga. The state government has decided to name the ambitious infrastructure project ‘Nitish Setu’ in honour of former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the bridge to the nation on November 21 during his visit to Bihar, which will also feature the inauguration and foundation-laying of several public welfare and development projects.
Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary announced the decision in a post on X, confirming that the Prime Minister would visit Bihar on November 21. He said the six-lane bridge, connecting Kacchi Dargah in Patna with Bidupur in Vaishali district through Raghopur, would be formally dedicated to the nation during the programme at Rajapakar. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate various development initiatives and lay the foundation stones for several projects, underlining the NDA government's focus on infrastructure expansion and regional development.
Built at an estimated cost of around Rs 4,988 crore, the 19.76-kilometre bridge is among Bihar's significant connectivity projects. It has been constructed by a joint venture of Larsen & Toubro and South Korea-based Daewoo. The bridge will establish an important link between National Highways 31 and 32, providing a faster and more convenient road connection between Patna and Vaishali. Once fully operational, it is expected to bring down the journey time between the two locations to approximately 20-25 minutes, offering considerable relief to commuters and transport operators.
The project is particularly important for Raghopur, an area surrounded by the Ganga and traditionally dependent on ferry services and longer road routes for connectivity. The new bridge is expected to transform transportation in the region by providing a more dependable, all-weather connection with the state capital. Besides making daily travel easier, it will facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, goods and commercial vehicles, potentially creating fresh opportunities for trade, investment and employment.
Beyond its immediate transportation benefits, Nitish Setu is expected to strengthen the economic relationship between North and South Bihar. Improved connectivity with Patna will make access to educational institutions, healthcare facilities, markets and administrative centres easier for people living across the river. The infrastructure development is also likely to encourage economic activity in surrounding areas and support the expansion of urban and rural settlements.
The timing of the inauguration carries political significance as well. The NDA government in Bihar will complete its first year in office on November 20, a day before the Prime Minister's scheduled visit. The dedication of the bridge on November 21 is therefore expected to serve as a major development milestone for the state government. By naming the project after Nitish Kumar, the government has also acknowledged the former Chief Minister's long association with Bihar's infrastructure expansion and governance.
With its inauguration, Nitish Setu is poised to become more than a major engineering achievement. It represents an important step towards bridging the connectivity gap between the two regions of Bihar, reducing travel distances and opening new avenues of economic development. The project is expected to play a significant role in strengthening the state's road network and improving the everyday lives of people on both sides of the Ganga.
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