Patna: For decades, the residents of Raghopur block of Vaishali, an island marooned between streams of the mighty Ganga River, have lived at the mercy of nature. Cut off from the district headquarters of Patna and Vaishali, their only means of travel were boats or temporary pontoon bridges erected during the dry summer and winter months. Monsoons brought isolation, stranding families and stifling economic opportunities.
On June 23, 2025, this narrative changed forever with the inauguration of the first phase of the Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur six-lane cable-stayed bridge that linked the diara with the capital city. Spanning 9.76 km, this engineering marvel has slashed travel time to a mere five minutes, delivering year-round connectivity and transforming life for Raghopur’s residents. The bridge, connecting Patna to this once-isolated Vaishali district constituency, is not just infrastructure—it’s a lifeline that promises economic growth, social integration, and a brighter future.
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Inauguration of an Engineering Marvel
The ceremonial opening, led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, marked a historic milestone. The 4.57 km stretch from Kacchi Dargah to Raghopur, part of the 19.76 km greenfield project, gleamed as a symbol of progress.
Locals erupted in celebration, with one X user calling it “a historic day for Raghopur,” a sentiment echoing the relief of a community freed from perilous river crossings. The bridge, hailed as India’s longest extra-dosed cable bridge, with 65 spans of 150 meters each, is designed to withstand floods and support cargo ship movement along the Ganga. Constructed by Larsen & Toubro and Daewoo Engineering & Construction under the Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL), the ₹4,988 crore project, partially funded by a ₹3,000 crore Asian Development Bank loan, is a testament to Bihar’s ambitious infrastructure vision.
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A Gateway to Growth for Raghopur
Nitish Kumar, joined by dignitaries including deputy chief ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, emphasized the bridge’s transformative impact. “We are continuously working for your welfare,” he told the gathered crowd, highlighting its role in fostering agricultural and industrial growth, improving access to emergency medical services, and easing Patna’s chronic traffic congestion. For Raghopur, the bridge means more than connectivity—it’s a gateway to markets, healthcare, and education, ending decades of isolation. Road Construction Department Minister Nitin Nabin called it a “game-changer,” announcing an additional ₹17 crore for a road to link Raghopur’s main thoroughfare, further amplifying local access.
Regional Connectivity and Traffic Relief
Spanning National Highway 30 at Kacchi Dargah to NH-103 at Bidupur, the bridge also serves as an eastern bypass, linking NH-31 and NH-322, and enhancing trade corridors to eastern, northern, and northeastern states, including Nepal. It alleviates pressure on the aging Mahatma Gandhi Setu, offering an alternative route for commuters traveling between north and south Bihar, reducing Patna’s urban gridlock. Nitish Kumar also reviewed the JP Ganga Path, a riverfront expressway, directing officials to complete a link road within a month for seamless integration.
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Progress Amid Challenges and a Cultural Legacy
At 85% completion, the project’s second and third phases—connecting Raghopur to Bidupur and Hajipur-Mahnar—are on track for completion by late 2025. Despite challenges like flooding and land acquisition delays since its 2015 inception, Nitish Kumar’s administration ensured steady progress. A unique feature, a world-class bridge museum—the first in Asia outside China and Japan—will showcase the construction process through a projector-laser illusion show, adding a cultural legacy to this infrastructural triumph.
A Symbol of Hope and Political Crossroads
Social media buzzed with pride, with posts dubbing it “Asia’s longest and widest extra-dosed cable bridge.” For Raghopur, the constituency of RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, the bridge is a beacon of hope. Yet, with Bihar’s state elections looming, some attribute the early inauguration to political strategy, as officials estimate another year for full completion. Still, for Raghopur’s residents, the Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur bridge is already a reality that bridges not just the Ganga’s streams but also the gap between isolation and opportunity, heralding a new era for Bihar.
