NABARD has sanctioned a loan of Rs 235.50 crore to the state government for building a two-lane 1.5 kms long bridge on river Gandak in Gopalganj district of Bihar under its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund.
The project will be executed by Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Ltd and will connect Gopalgand with West Champaran districts. The bridge will redcue the distance between Gopalganj and Bettiah by 87 kms. In the absence of the bridge the local people have to rely on boat, which is risky, especially during monsoon. The vehicular traffic at present takes the route via NH 28 and cross Gandak at Dumaria Ghat.
The proposed bridge over Gandak would provide link between East Champaran district and eastern UP via Gopalganj. Besides, West Champaran district would also get an additional route to east UP.
According to the general manager of NABARD, M M Mishra, the bridge would link 38 villages and 12 marketing centres. About 1.80 lakh people would be directly benefited by the bridge. Besides, it would give a boost to the economy of the region.
The total cost of the bridge would be Rs 317.99 crore and the share of the state government will be Rs 82.49 crore. This is the biggest project for the Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam. The project is likely to start from October.
The proposed bridge will have 25 spans of 60 metres each. It will have well-type foundation and the super-structure will be pre-stressed box grider type.
From: Bihar Times, July-11-08
