Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a key bridge over the Ganga River in Bihar’s Begusarai today. PM Modi, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar by his side, was seen standing on the bridge and greeting people. He was also seen waving his stole at the crowd.
The 1.86-km-long Aunta-Simaria Bridge has been constructed parallel to an old two-lane dilapidated rail-cum-road bridge, ‘Rajendra Setu’, at a cost of more than Rs 1,870 crore. Because of the poor condition of Rajendra Setu, heavy vehicles were forced to reroute.
The bridge marks a significant infrastructure push in the state. The six-lane bridge on National Highway 31 will provide direct connectivity between Mokama in Patna and Begusarai, reducing the additional travel distance of more than 100 km for heavy vehicles travelling between north Bihar – Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani, Purnea, Araria – and south Bihar – Sheikhpura, Nawada and Lakhisarai.
#WATCH | PM Modi, along with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, inaugurates the Aunta – Simaria bridge project built on River Ganga. It will provide direct connectivity between Mokama in Patna and Begusarai.
Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Union Minister Giriraj Singh and Deputy CMs Vijay… pic.twitter.com/oo0jEvrK4W
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2025
It will also provide better connectivity to the renowned pilgrimage of Simaria Dham – the birthplace of the famous poet, late Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.
The Prime Minister announced a series of welfare and development measures and inaugurated and laid foundation stones of projects worth nearly Rs 13,000 crore.
He also underlined that the rapid development of Bihar remains a big priority for the NDA government.
“Today, projects worth Rs 12,992 crore have been inaugurated and foundation stones laid in a single day from the holy land of Gaya. These include major projects in energy, health, and urban development, which will not only strengthen Bihar’s industries but also generate employment opportunities. Removing difficulties from the lives of the poor and making women’s lives easier gives me the most happiness as a servant of the people,” he said.
The Prime Minister landed at Gaya Ji airport around 11 am. Along the route to the venue, people had gathered to greet him and shower flowers during a brief roadshow before he addressed the rally.