The existing two-lane bridge between Digta and Sodepur across River Ganga.
New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today approved the construction of a new 4.56 km long, 6-lane bridge across River Ganga connecting Digha and Sonepur in Bihar.
The high-level/extra-dosed cable-stayed bridge will be constructed parallel to the western side of the existing Digha-Sonepur Rail-Cum Road Bridge, and its approaches on both sides in Patna and Saran (NH-139W) districts. The work would be implemented in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode with the use latest technology like 5D-Building Information Modelling (BIM), Bridge Health Monitoring System (BHMS), and monthly drone mapping to ensure quality of construction and operations.
The total cost for the project is estimated to be Rs.3,064.45 crore which includes civil construction cost of Rs.2,233.81 crore., and the work is targeted to be completed in 42 months from the appointed date. The Economic analysis results have shown an Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) of 17.6% in the base case and 13.1% in the worst case which may be attributed to the savings in distance and time travelled.
“The bridge will make traffic faster and easier resulting in the overall development of the State, especially North Bihar,” the CCEA stated, adding that the project would generate direct employment for skilled and unskilled workers in the various activities performed during its construction and maintenance period.
Digha, situated on the south bank of the Ganga in Patna, and Sonepur on the north bank of the Ganga in Saran District, are presently connected by a rail cum road bridge for the movement of light vehicles only. The present road cannot be used for the transport of goods and commodities which is a major economic blockade.
“The constraint will be removed by providing this bridge, between Digha and Sonepur; goods and commodities can be transported once the bridge is constructed, unleashing the region’s economic potential,” the CCEA stated.
The new bridge will provide direct connectivity from Patna to the Golden Quadrilateral corridor via NH-139 at Aurangabad and Sonepur (NH-31), Chhapra, Motihari (East-West corridor old NH-27), Bettiah (NH-727) in the Northern side of Bihar.
This project is also a part of the Buddha circuit and would provide better connectivity to the Buddha Stupa at Vaishali and Keshariya. Also, NH-139W provides connectivity to the very famous Areraj Someshwar Nath Temple and the proposed Viraat Ramayan Mandir (the largest religious monument in the world) at Kesariya in the East Champaran District.
– global bihari bureau
