Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates One Of Asia's Widest Bridges—Here's What Makes It Special

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 8.15 km long Aunta–Simaria bridge project on NH-31, including the 1.86 km-long six-lane section over the Ganges River, on August 22 in Bihar.Constructed at a cost of over INR 1,870 crore, the Aunta–Simaria bridge, said to be one of Asia’s widest, will provide direct connectivity between Mokama in Patna and Begusarai. This engineering marvel is not only a technological landmark but will also serve as a lifeline for millions across north and south Bihar.Modi had laid the foundation stone for the Aunta–Simaria bridge, including the construction of the six-lane section, on October 14, 2017.Features Of The Aunta–Simaria BridgeThe 1.86-km-long main span of the Aunta–Simaria bridge is supported by 18 towering pillars and 600 precision-engineered segments. It has been designed with three-lane carriageways of 13 m each on both sides and 1.5-m-wide footpaths, ensuring smooth passage for vehicles and pedestrians. Heavy vehicles, once forced onto lengthy detours due to restrictions on Rajendra Setu, will now save up to 100 km of travel distance, slashing transport time, fuel costs and operational expenses.Dubbed a “smart bridge,” the Aunta–Simaria project goes beyond size and scale. It is equipped with CCTV cameras, telephones, digital display screens, landscaped plantations, milky LED streetlights and modern roundabouts. Its extra-dosed segmental structure with spans ranging from 57 to 115 m demonstrates India’s growing prowess in advanced bridge engineering.The Aunta–Simaria Bridge's Impact On Trade And Travel In BiharFor Bihar, the bridge is more than an engineering feat—it’s a connector of people, markets and opportunities. By directly linking districts like Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani and Araria in the north with Patna, Sheikhpura, Nawada and Lakhisarai in the south, it is expected to give a major boost to trade, local industries and regional development.The bridge also improves accessibility to Simaria Dham, a sacred pilgrimage site and the birthplace of legendary poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, blending cultural heritage with modern infrastructure.Upcoming Infrastructure Projects To Be Inaugurated By The Prime MinisterAfter the inauguration of the Aunta–Simaria bridge, Modi will undertake a slew of activities to boost Bihar and West Bengal's infrastructure and transpotation sectors.For starters, he will inaugurate the 44.6-km, four-lane Bakhtiyarpur to Mokama section of NH-31, worth around INR 1,900 crore, which will ease congestion, reduce travel time, and enhance passenger and freight movement.The Prime Minister will flag off two trains to boost rail connectivity in the region. Amrit Bharat Express, which will improve passenger convenience with modern facilities, comfort and safety, operates between Gaya Ji and Delhi. The Buddhist Circuit Train between Vaishali and Koderma will boost tourism and religious travel across key Buddhist sites in the region.In West Bengal, Modi will flag off metro train services on the newly constructed sections in Kolkata at around 4:15 PM, and undertake a metro ride from Jessore Road Metro Station to Jai Hind Bimanbandar and back, reports said.At the public function, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate a newly constructed subway at Howrah Metro Station.The newly launched Noapara-Jai Hind Bimanbandar metro service will significantly improve access to the airport, while the Sealdah-Esplanade metro will reduce the travel time between the two points from nearly 40 minutes to only 11 minutes. The Beleghata-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro section, too, will play a crucial role in enhancing connectivity with the IT hub.These metro routes will connect some of Kolkata’s busiest areas, bring a notable reduction in travel time, and strengthen multimodal connectivity, benefiting lakhs of daily commuters, as per a statement.Lastly, in a significant boost to road infrastructure in the region, Modi will also lay the foundation stone of the 7.2 km-long six-lane elevated Kona Expressway worth over INR 1,200 crore. It will enhance connectivity between Howrah, the surrounding rural areas and Kolkata, saving hours of travel time and giving a significant boost to trade, commerce and tourism in the region(With inputs from multiple news reports)Top 10 Historic Bridges In India You Must Visit