Bihar: Union minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurates rehabilitated western flank of Mahatma Gandhi Setu

PATNA: Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the rehabilitated western flank of Mahatma Gandhi Setu through video- conference on Friday. Chief minister Nitish Kumar presided over the inaugural event, while Union ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Ravi Shankar Prasad were guest of honour.
Other dignitaries present in the virtual event, included deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, road construction minister Sushil Kumar Modi, road construction minister Nand Kishor Yadav and union minister of state for the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) general (retired) V K Singh.

The western flank of the ‘lifeline’ bridge connecting north and south Bihar over river Ganga has been rehabilitated by MoRTH as part of the ambitious project of rehabilitation of the 38- year old Setu by replacing its old superstructure, except pillars, with steel deck superstructure.

The rehabilitation works on the Setu is being carried out by AFCON Infrastructure Ltd in joint venture with Sibmost since February, 2017. Funds to the tune of Rs1742crs are being spent on the overall rehabilitation of the bridge.
Speaking on the occasion of inauguration of the western flank of the bridge on Friday, union minister Gadkari said that it is first of the kind of the project across the country executed by replacing the concrete superstructure by a steel framework.
“The demand for repair of Gandhi Setu kept being raised by ministers and parliamentarians from Bihar from past many years. This bridge had a unique problem that its pillars were completely fine but slabs were damaged. Accordingly, we got experts from across the world to find out ways to rehabilitate the bridge. A European firm was also roped in for this project along with consultation by IIT- Roorkee to ensure a life span of 100 years for the bridge,” Gadkari said.
Deliberating upon other upcoming bridge projects in Bihar, Gadkari said that works on five mega bridges entailing an overall outlay of Rs10,338crs will commence in Bihar over the next few months.
“Bidding process for a new 7km- long bridge over Kosi between Bhagalpur and Madhepura has been initiated. The construction works will start in two months and funds to the tune of Rs 1478crs will spent for executing the project. Works on 4.5kms long bridge parallel to Vikramshila Setu in Bhagalpur will also commence in two months. Similarly, fresh bidding process has been completed for a bridge over river Ganga at Sahebganj,” he said.
The union minister added that works on a bridge parallel to Gandhi Setu will also commence in October. “The spans of the bridge will be 242m long, which be highest for any bridge in the country so far. Funds to the tune of Rs3,000crs will be spent on the bridge,” Gadkari said.
Speaking on the occasion deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi thanked PM Narendra Modi for a special package of Rs1,25,000crs for Bihar, under which Gandhi Setu rehabilitation project is being executed. He claimed that 12 new bridges are being constructed on the Ganga river.
State road construction minister Nand Kishor Yadav said the rehabilitated bridge will put ‘fresh life’ in road connectivity between north and south Bihar. He claimed that eastern flank of Gandhi Setu will also be rehabilitated in 18 months.
Nitish demands more funds for MSME development
CM Nitish Kumar on Friday requested union minister Nitin Gadkari for enhancement in central support for small and medium scale enterprise (MSME) development, especially in view of higher population density in the state.
“The state government has amended the Industrial Investment Promotion Policy to get more industrial units and ensure that the returnee migrant workers get sufficient job opportunities here. The centre is giving Rs25,000crores to Bihar in this regard. We would be grateful if more funds are sanctioned by the Centre, considering the highest population density in the country,” CM said.
CM Nitish also thanked Gadkari for the upcoming bridge and road projects and welcomed works being done under PM Modi’s special package.
Nitish, however, indicated the need for a direct route between Buxar and Varanasi. The chief minister also pointed out the need for uniformity in national highways (NH) width for smooth vehicular movement.