ADB extends $500-million loan for river bridge in Bihar

Asian Development Bank said on Friday it has approved $500 million (approximately Rs 3350 crore) loan for constructing a bridge across Ganga. Once built, the 9.8 km road bridge in Bihar will be country’s longest river bridge. The bridge would provide vital transport links between the northern and southern parts of the state and with neighbouring country Nepal, ADB said in a release. The project will run for about 4 years and is expected to complete by the end of December 2020, the stament added. According to the bank, the bridge is expected to benefit over nine million or ninety lakh people looking for job opportunities on both the sides of bridge.  “The new bridge will make it easier for people to move between jobs and markets, particularly for poorer communities in the north wishing to travel to the state capital, Patna, just south of the river,” said Dong Kyu Lee in ADB’s South Asia Department said. Traffic volumes are rising but there are only four operational bridges along the 200 km stretch of the river Ganga that pass through Bihar. The capacity of existing bridges is already stretched, undermining connectivity and access to opportunities for northern communities, the statement said. The new bridge would serve as an alternate route to the existing Ganga Bridge, which has begun to deteriorate. The project is also expected to be linked to national highway network. The height and length have been designed to minimize impacts on the river itself and to ensure the bridge is able to withstand climate-related stresses such as a rise in the water level, ADB said. Along with ADB’s loan and $900,000 (approximately Rs 6 crore) in technical assistance to improve bridge operation and management, Bihar government will provide support equivalent to $215 million (approximately Rs 1460 crore).