Imagine a bridge that keeps falling into the Ganges—three times in three years. That’s the reality of Bihar’s Sultanganj-Aguwani project, mired in 11 years of delays and over 12 broken deadlines. This Rs 1,750 crore endeavor by SP Singla aims to link Bhagalpur and Khagaria, fostering north-south Bihar integration.
IIT Roorkee experts, after meticulous analysis, recommended and secured approval for a cutting-edge redesign: cable-stay bridges with composite steel beams and concrete decks for unmatched resilience. Restart of works is on the horizon.
Progress shines on the 20-km access roads, fully nearly complete, but the pivotal one-km river section remains unfinished, hampering momentum. High-level site reviews have been frequent.
The collapse chronicle: Gusts felled spans between pillars 4 and 6 on April 30, 2022. A broader section near pillars 10-13 sank on June 4, 2023. Pillar 9 succumbed August 17, 2024. These failures spotlighted quality control gaps, sparking statewide discourse.
Targeting 2027 inauguration, the four-lane span could cut travel times dramatically, spurring commerce. With fresh technical backing, stakeholders are cautiously hopeful. After endless postponements, is the finish line finally in sight for Bihar’s beleaguered bridge?