Repair work on Vikramshila Setu, a key road link between southern and northern Bihar, is being accelerated, with the Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation bringing Delhi-based Mangalam firm into the project to remove damaged sections and install new structures. Maharashtra-based Mate Associates and Mangalam will jointly undertake the removal of weakened spans. Meanwhile, the process of launching a steel girder weighing approximately 200 tonnes and measuring around 24 metres in length has begun. Work on different stages of the repair is being carried out in parallel to expedite the safe restoration of the bridge.
Vikramshila Setu connects Bhagalpur with Naugachhia, Katihar, Purnia and other parts of North Bihar. Disruption of traffic on the bridge has forced daily commuters, freight vehicles, traders and other travellers to use alternative routes. The pace of repairs and the safe reopening of the bridge remain important for the region.
The Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation has assigned responsibility to an additional specialist agency to accelerate the work. Mate Associates of Maharashtra and Mangalam of Delhi will jointly assist in removing the weakened spans. The arrangement is expected to facilitate simultaneous work on different sections of the site and improve the use of available time. The actual pace of work will also depend on weather conditions, technical inspections, the availability of heavy equipment and safety requirements at each stage.
Modern machinery is being used to remove the damaged sections of the bridge. Diamond wire saw technology is being deployed to cut concrete and slabs in a controlled manner. Drilling is also being carried out to create the required holes in the slabs, allowing cutting operations to proceed according to plan.
Careful execution is necessary to ensure that removing weakened sections does not place unnecessary stress on the remaining bridge structure.
Heavy debris generated during repairs is also being removed systematically. Broken concrete and slab fragments are being transported by barges along the river to SP Singla's yard at Barari to prevent them from falling into the Ganga. This process is intended to reduce debris accumulation at the worksite and help prevent pollution in the river. Environmental precautions remain important during the construction work being undertaken near the river.
The process of preparing and installing a new steel girder has also started. With the help of heavy cranes, separate sections of the girder are being transported by barge from the yard at Barari, near the Naugachhia end, to the bridge. The sections will be assembled at the site to form the required structure.
The steel girder, weighing approximately 200 tonnes and measuring around 24 metres in length, will play a key role in restoring the damaged section. Lifting and positioning a structure of this size requires specialised equipment, technical supervision and coordination.
Shashibhushan, Secretary for Planning and Administration at the Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation, visited the site to review the girder-launching process. According to officials, cutting operations and girder assembly are proceeding simultaneously in accordance with the work plan set by SP Singla. The parallel execution of these activities is intended to reduce the time required between different stages of the repair. Structural safety and compliance with technical standards will nevertheless need to be verified before each stage is completed.
Adherence to the original design is an important consideration in restoring Vikramshila Setu. The bridge was originally constructed by the Uttar Pradesh Bridge Corporation. Accordingly, the original design and drawings are being assessed technically before weakened sections are removed and new structures are installed.
This assessment will help determine how the new girder and other structural components should be positioned without placing additional stress on other parts of the bridge. Given the condition of the existing structure, the repair work must proceed in stages and with appropriate precautions.
Installing the new girder alone will not complete the restoration. After the damaged slabs are removed, the replacement structure must be positioned at the correct level, the required concrete work must be completed, and technical inspections must be conducted once the specified strength has been achieved.
Before vehicular traffic resumes, the relevant experts will need to verify that the repaired section meets the prescribed load-bearing and safety standards. Completion timelines, construction quality and structural safety therefore remain key considerations in the restoration process.
The closure of Vikramshila Setu has caused difficulties for people travelling between Bhagalpur and Naugachhia. Alternative routes may increase travel times and affect freight movement. For passengers using river-based boat services and other alternatives, safety and availability remain important considerations.
The administration must balance traffic management, passenger convenience and the safe execution of construction activities throughout the repair period.
The deployment of an additional agency, efforts to accelerate the removal of weakened spans and the launch of the heavy steel girder mark further steps in the restoration of Vikramshila Setu. Progress will depend on the pace at which damaged sections are removed, new girders are installed and slabs are completed. Restoration of the bridge is expected to benefit residents of Bhagalpur, North Bihar and the Seemanchal region. The final decision to resume safe operations will depend on the relevant technical inspections and approval from the authorities.
