Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 8.15-km Aunta–Simaria bridge project on NH-31 in Bihar today.

The project features a 1.86-km six-lane cable-stayed bridge across the Ganga, built at a cost of Rs 1,870 crore. Slated as Bihar’s widest extradosed cable-stayed structure, the bridge is 34 mtrs. wide, with segment lengths between 57 to 115 mtrs and cantilever arms of 70 mtrs. Constructed using high-performance concrete with silica fume, the bridge runs parallel to the two-lane Rajendra Setu, currently under repair and closed to heavy vehicles.

The new link will slash detours of over 100 km and significantly reduce travel time between north Bihar districts—Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani, Purnea, Araria—and south Bihar regions including Patna, Sheikhpura, Nawada, and Lakhisarai. It will also improve access to Simaria Dham, a pilgrimage centre and the birthplace of poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.

Road Construction Minister Nitin Navin said, “This bridge will significantly reduce the distance between north and south Bihar and stand as a signature project of progress.” The project is expected to boost freight movement, benefiting industrial hubs like Barauni and opening market opportunities for farmers, including makhana growers.