Asian Development Bank 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. The project will run for about 4 years and is expected to complete by the end of December 2020.

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 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.

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).