Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Aunta–Simaria six-lane bridge on Friday, marking a significant milestone in Bihar’s infrastructure development. Spanning 1.86 kilometres across the Ganga River and measuring 34 meters in width, the bridge is now Asia’s widest extradosed cable-stayed bridge.

Constructed on National Highway 31, the bridge links Aunta Ghat in Mokama with Simaria in Begusarai, providing a direct route between North and South Bihar. The project is expected to save nearly 100 kilometres of travel for both passenger and freight vehicles that were previously rerouted due to restrictions on the aging Rajendra Setu.

The bridge’s advanced engineering, featuring cantilever arms of up to 70 meters, ensures durability and smooth traffic flow. It also enhances access to Simaria Dham, a revered religious site and the birthplace of poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh called the bridge a “milestone in Bihar’s development,” highlighting its potential to boost trade, particularly for makhana farmers and industrial hubs like Barauni. Road Construction Minister Nitin Navin described the project as a “landmark” that positions Bihar as a future growth engine of India.

Beyond its engineering feat, the Aunta–Simaria bridge symbolizes the deeper integration of Bihar’s cultural, economic, and social landscape, ushering in a new era of connectivity and opportunity for the state.