Vikramshila Setu

The Vikramshila Setu is a bridge which traverses the Ganges very close to Bhagalpur in the Indian state of Bihar. The bridge has been named after Vikramaśīla University a University which was built by King Dharmapala (783 to 820 A.D.).

Geography

The bridge is considered to be the third longest bridge in India. It is ranked 118th in the list of the world’s longest bridge in world. Being 4.7 km long the bridge is able to connect NH 80 and NH 31 which run on the opposite sides of the Ganges.

Engineering Details

The bridge spans Barari Ghat on the Bhagalpur side on the south bank of the Ganges to Naugauchia on the north bank. This bridge is able to link Bhagalpur to Purnia and Kathiar. It is because of the fact that these two towns are connected, it has managed to reduce the road travel time and distance between Bhagalpur and places across the Ganges. When the people make use of the bridge they are able to save some 250 km or so of distance and at the same time re-assuring to the people of the region with regards to its importance in reforming the road transport scenario in the State of Bihar. Since the bridge is situated in the area of Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, you will be able to spot some of the rare species of Gangetic dolphins.

With the commissioning of the bridge, the banana cultivators are a happy lot and so are the millions of rural people, who had to otherwise depend on other modes of transport such as the boats and steamers to cross over the river.

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