Digha-Sonepur rail-cum-road bridge project of East Central railway, in Bihar  is facing delays.

The 4.5 km rail-cum-road bridge project was expected to be completed in March 2013. However, the developer so far has completed the construction of only 21 (south 12, north 9) out of the 36 spans. The project will be delayed because it takes at least two-and-a-half months to complete erection and fabrication (laying of tracks) work of one span due to the deep water level of the river. Also, due to the monsoons, the water current is such that Railways has adopted the cantilever method for erection work leading to slow progress. However, as of now, work on the 22nd span is in progress. By that standard, it will take at least 35 more months to complete the 36 spans. The distance between two spans is about 131 metre. Both, fabrication and erection are part of the work of the mega bridge.

The project will be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,192 crore. However, according to the Railways, the cost is likely to go up to Rs 2,400 crore by the time of its completion, due to delay.

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