The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced its goal to complete the Sahibganj-Manihari Ganga bridge by December of this year. This 22-kilometer structure is poised to significantly improve transportation links between Jharkhand and Bihar, connecting Sahibganj in Jharkhand to Narenpur in the Katihar district of Bihar.
Once finalized, the bridge is expected to facilitate direct access from the Santhal Pargana region to Bihar, West Bengal, and the northeastern states of India. Additionally, it aims to bolster trade relations with neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
The Sahibganj-Manihari Ganga bridge project encompasses three main components. Within the 22-kilometer stretch, a primary bridge measuring 6 kilometers has been constructed using extradosed technology. According to NHAI, this innovative method not only enhances the bridge’s structural integrity but also offers a visually striking and contemporary appearance.
In addition, the project includes a 300-meter rail bridge connecting Sahibganj and Katihar over the ‘Chhoti Ganga,’ along with nine smaller bridges and nine underpasses incorporated into the approach roads.
The NHAI emphasized its commitment to accelerating the construction timeline to ensure that this significant bridge is opened to the public by December 2026. Upon completion, the Sahibganj-Manihari Ganga bridge is projected to drastically reduce travel times, cutting the distance between the two cities by approximately ten percent, and alleviating traffic congestion at the Vikram Shila Setu bridge in Bhagalpur.
Anish Mondal has over nine years of experience reporting on transportation infrastructure, currently serving on the editorial team of Indianexpress.com, where he focuses on high-impact sectors.
In his professional journey, Anish began at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), gaining valuable insights into legislative matters and national governance. In 2018, he moved into digital financial journalism with FinancialExpress.com, where he honed his expertise in market analysis and corporate news for nearly six years. Prior to his current role at The Indian Express, he was a key contributor at ETNowNews.com.
Anish’s journalism is supported by a strong academic foundation in communication and the humanities, including a Master of Journalism and Mass Communication from Apeejay Stya University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production from Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Honours from the University of Calcutta.
His areas of coverage include detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and the National Highway network.
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