Nitish to inaugurate 1848-meter bridge over Gandak tomorrow

The bridge will ensure a smooth travel from Bihar to neighbouring Uttar Pradesh

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will inaugurate a 1848-meter bridge over Gandak river in West Champaran district tomorrow that will ensure a smooth travel from the state to neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.

Coming a day after the CM presented the report card on the performance of his government in 2013, the inauguration of the bridge between West Champaran and Bagha districts would prove to be a boon for people living in this area, Secretary, Bihar Rajya Pul Nigam Pratya Amrit told reporters.

The construction of the bridge started in October 2009 and was completed five days ahead of its stipulated date of November 30, Amrit said.

The bridge has been constructed at a cost of Rs 358.67 crore, he said.

The Bridge Construction Corporation Secretary said that it would reduce the distance of 155 km between Dhanaha to Bettiah to 60 km only.

The cutting short of 95 km of distance after opening of this bridge tomorrow would save at least two-and-a-half hour travel time in between the two destinations, he added.

Amrit said besides brightening the economic prospects of sugarcane growers of the area, the bridge would also bring cheers on local citizens as it would facilitate their journey to places in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.

An International Airport is proposed at famous Buddhist site Kusinagar in Uttar Pradesh. The bridge would link West Champaran district with the proposed Airport, he added.

Amrit, who is also Secretary of Road Construction Department, said another major bridge between Saharsa and Darbhanga would be thrown open to public in mid-December.