The union government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $500 million loan agreement to build a 9.8-km river bridge, the country’s longest, across the river Ganga which would provide better connectivity between North and South Bihar and also Patna and its surrounding areas.

The new Ganga bridge would serve as an alternative to the existing one and be linked to the National Highway network. The project will include building of embankments, viaducts and toll facilities.

The bridge will be constructed using the latest engineering techniques, making it the first of its kind in India with its height and length customized to deal with the climate- related issues such as rise in water levels while ensuring minimum impact on the river.

Asian Development Bank:

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established on 19 December 1966, which is headquartered in the Ortigas Center located in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines. The company also maintains 31 field offices around the world to promote social and economic development in Asia.
The bank admits the members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP, formerly the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East or ECAFE) and non-regional developed countries. From 31 members at its establishment, ADB now has 67 members, of which 48 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside.