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Rajendra Setu, India’s first double-decker bridge built across the Ganga, has long stood as a symbol of engineering excellence. Connecting North and South Bihar, it was once regarded as the largest bridge in independent India when construction began in 1952. With a roadway above and a railway line below, the bridge became a unique example of infrastructure designed to serve both road and rail traffic simultaneously. (News18 Hindi)
The bridge was completed in 1959, after seven years of construction, and transformed connectivity between the two regions. It significantly reduced travel distances between Patna and other major cities, fuelling both economic growth and social development across Bihar. Its role in bridging communities made it one of the state’s most vital lifelines. (News18 Hindi)
On December 2, 1959, India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, inaugurated the bridge in a grand ceremony. Nehru hailed it as a symbol of the nation’s progress and a reflection of India’s growing engineering capabilities. It was named Rajendra Setu in honour of Dr Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President and a son of Bihar, making it a matter of pride for the state. (News18 Hindi)
Over the decades, however, the 65-year-old structure began to show signs of aging. With rising traffic and mounting maintenance costs, the need for a modern alternative became pressing. To address this, a new parallel bridge has been constructed, designed to cater to the demands of present-day traffic and ensure safer, faster travel for commuters. (News18 Hindi)
On August 22, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 1.86-km-long Aunta-Simaria Bridge over the Ganga River in Bihar’s Begusarai. While the historical importance of the old Rajendra Setu remains intact, the new structure stands as a testament to modern engineering. It promises to ease congestion, enhance safety, and serve as a crucial link for decades to come, shaping the future of connectivity in Bihar. (News18 Hindi)
