New Delhi: In a significant development for Bihar’s infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Aunta-Simaria bridge project on NH-31 on August 22.
A 8.15 km long marvel that includes a 1.86 km long, 6-lane bridge over the Ganga River. Constructed at a cost of over Rs 1,870 crore, this bridge promises to revolutionize connectivity between Mokama in Patna and Begusarai.
The bridge has been constructed parallel to an old 2-lane dilapidated rail-cum-road bridge “Rajendra Setu” which is in poor condition forcing heavy vehicles to re-route.
The new bridge will reduce this extra travel distance of more than 100 km for the heavy vehicles travelling between North Bihar (Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani, Purnea, Araria etc) and South Bihar areas (Sheikhpura, Nawada, Lakhisarai etc). It will also help reduce issues of traffic jams in other parts of the region due to the detour which these vehicles were forced to take.
Taking to X, PM Modi said that the “bridge is a landmark project, which will revolutionise connectivity between North and South Bihar.”
The Aunta-Simaria bridge is a landmark project, which will revolutionise connectivity between North and South Bihar! pic.twitter.com/PbFb5rcU0M
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 21, 2025
The bridge will boost economic growth in the adjoining areas, especially in North Bihar, which are dependent on South Bihar and Jharkhand for getting necessary raw material. It will also provide better connectivity to the famous pilgrimage place of Simaria Dham, which is also the birthplace of famous poet Late Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.
🛣️बिहार का नया महासेतु!
🌉औंटा–सिमरिया पर बना भारत के सबसे चौड़ा 6-लेन गंगा पुल का कल पीएम करेंगे उद्घाटन
🛣️ यह पुल उत्तर और दक्षिण बिहार को मज़बूत कनेक्टिविटी देगा
🚛 भारी वाहनों का सफ़र 100 किमी kam
🚗 सिमरिया धाम और दिनकर ग्राम पहुंचना सुगम।#SimariaGangaBridge pic.twitter.com/eCtwSId1FF— PIB in Bihar (@PIB_Patna) August 21, 2025
During his visit to Bihar, Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate the four-lane Bakhtiyarpur to Mokama section of NH-31, worth around Rs 1,900 crore, which will ease congestion, reduce travel time, and enhance passenger and freight movement.
Further, improvement to the two-lane with paved shoulders of Bikramganj-Dawath-Nawanagar-Dumraon section of NH-120 in Bihar will improve connectivity in rural areas, providing new economic opportunities for the local population.
Strengthening the power sector infrastructure in Bihar, the Prime Minister will inaugurate Buxar Thermal Power Plant (660×1 MW) worth around Rs 6,880 crore. It will significantly enhance power generation capacity, improve energy security, and meet the growing electricity demand of the region.
In a major boost to health infrastructure, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre at Muzaffarpur.
The centre includes advanced Oncology OPD, IPD wards, operation theatres, modern lab, blood bank, and a 24-bed ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and HDU (High Dependency Unit). This state-of-the-art facility will provide advanced and affordable cancer care to patients in Bihar and neighbouring states, reducing the need to travel to distant metros for treatment.
Furthering his vision of Swachh Bharat and ensuring Aviral and Nirmal Dhara of river Ganga, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) and Sewerage Network at Munger constructed under Namami Gange worth over Rs 520 crore. It will help reduce pollution load in the Ganga and improve sanitation facilities in the region.
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for a series of urban infrastructure projects worth around Rs 1,260 crore. These include the STP and Sewerage Network at Daudnagar in Aurangabad, and Jehanabad; STP and interception and diversion works at Barahiya in Lakhisarai, and Jamui. Under AMRUT 2.0, he will lay the foundation stone of Water Supply Projects at Aurangabad, Bodhgaya and Jehanabad.
These projects will provide clean drinking water, modern sewerage systems, and improved sanitation thereby improving health standards and quality of life in the region.
Boosting rail connectivity in the region, the Prime Minister will flag off two trains. Amrit Bharat Express between Gaya and Delhi which will improve passenger convenience with modern facilities, comfort, and safety. And Buddhist Circuit Train between Vaishali and Koderma which will give a boost to tourism and religious travel across key Buddhist sites in the region.
Grih Pravesh ceremony of 12,000 rural beneficiaries under PMAY-Gramin and 4,260 beneficiaries under PMAY-Urban will also take place with the symbolic handing over of keys to a few beneficiaries by the Prime Minister, thus fulfilling the dream of owning a house of thousands of families. (ANI)
