The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed the Aunta–Simaria Bridge Project on National Highway-31 in Bihar. This infrastructure achievement includes a 6-lane extradosed bridge over the Ganga River and 4-lane approach roads.
The 8.15 km long Aunta-Simaria bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs 1,871 crore, connects Aunta in Mokama (Patna district) to Simaria in Begusarai. The project is strategically located and integrates North and South Bihar. The bridge is parallel to the existing Rajendra Setu and provides a safer and more efficient route, especially for heavy vehicles.
Key Features and Benefits
- Improved Connectivity: The Aunta-Simaria bridge establishes a direct, high-capacity link between North and South Bihar. It is a critical part of the NH-31 corridor and will significantly ease connectivity across the Ganga River in Bihar. The bridge will connect key cities including Patna, Darbhanga, Buxar, Samastipur, Gaya and Ara.
- Reduced Travel Distance: The bridge is expected to reduce the travel distance for freight and heavy vehicle traffic between North Bihar districts like Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani, and Araria, and South Bihar regions including Sheikhpura, Nawada, and Lakhisarai, by nearly 150 kilometers. The bridge will cut travel time between Patna and Begusarai by over two hours.
- Easing Congestion: The new bridge will relieve pressure on the existing Gandhi Setu, which has been burdened by high traffic.
- Economic Growth: The project is expected to boost economic growth in the surrounding districts by strengthening logistics, trade, and market access. It will also unlock access to national and international markets for local Makhana farmers and improve connectivity to industrial hubs like Barauni, driving regional economic growth.
- Pilgrimage and Tourism: The bridge enhances connectivity to Simaria Dham, a revered pilgrimage site and the birthplace of Hindi poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.
- Engineering Marvel: The Aunta-Simaria bridge is recognized as Asia's second-widest extradosed cable-stayed bridge. The 34-meter-wide structure has 13-meter-wide lanes on each side, a two-meter-wide central divider, and three-meter-wide footpaths.
Project Details
- Project Name: Aunta–Simaria (Ganga Bridge with approach road).
- Executing Agency: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
- Construction Company: Welspun Enterprises.
- Project Length: 8.15 kilometers.
- Estimated Cost: Rs 1,871 crore.
- Lanes: Six.
- Highway Section: NH-31 from Design Chainage Km 197.900 to 206.050.
- Location: State of Bihar.
- Date of Commercial Operation: Effective from May 15, 2025.
- PCOD Issued On: June 3, 2025.
- Project Mode: Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).
- The foundation stone of the bridge was laid by Prime Minister Modi in 2017.
The Aunta-Simaria project forms a critical part of the NH-31 corridor. Awarded under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), the project combines private sector efficiency with public sector support and viability gap funding, ensuring sustainable long-term operation and maintenance. The receipt of Provisional Certificate for Commercial Operation (PCOD) marks readiness for toll annuity payments and also signals the completion of all key deliverables under the contract scope. The project is now operational and eligible for revenue generation under the HAM structure.
