Patna: The additional four-lane bridge being constructed parallel to the Mahatma Gandhi Setu will be completed by Dec this year, offering major relief to commuters between Patna and Hajipur who face hours-long traffic congestion on the existing bridge, according to a statement from the road construction department (RCD).RCD officials said that around 60% of the work has been completed, and the new bridge route to Hajipur is expected to open in early 2027. The decision to build the parallel bridge was taken due to rising traffic pressure on the Mahatma Gandhi Setu, built on NH-19 nearly four and a half decades ago.
On the recommendation of the Govt of India, the RCD began work in 2021 on the 5.5km-long bridge, which connects to 14.5km of approach roads on both sides. The project has been awarded to SP Singla Construction Private Limited.According to officials, once completed, the bridge will improve connectivity for commuters of districts such as Patna, Jehanabad, Arwal, Gaya, Aurangabad, Nalanda and Nawada from north Bihar, and Chhapra, Vaishali, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Saran, Siwan and Gopalganj from south Bihar.The RCD statement further said considering the deteriorating condition of the old Gandhi Setu, its superstructure was replaced a few years ago. “The four-lane bridge is now structurally safe and traffic flow has improved, but vehicle load continues to rise sharply. To provide lasting relief, the central govt recommended construction of a parallel four-lane bridge and approved a budget of Rs2,926.42 crore for the project,” an RCD official said.
