**Executive Summary**
This report highlights the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways’ (MoRTH) delivery of iconic bridge projects over the past twelve years to transform national connectivity and economic growth. Key infrastructure developments include the inauguration of the Ganga River Bridge in Bihar (August 2025) and various strategic links across Assam, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. These projects aim to reduce travel time, enhance logistical efficiency, and provide vital strategic and environmental protections.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Overview of Infrastructure Goals**
* Focus on infrastructure-led development, national integration, and inclusive growth.
* Bridges are designed to connect previously inaccessible regions, shorten travel distances, and improve mobility.
* Engineering marvels include various designs such as arch, extradosed, cable-stayed, and beam bridges.
**Regional Bridge Specifications and Features**
* **New Saraighat Bridge (Assam):** A 1.49 km bridge over the Brahmaputra River running parallel to the old bridge; it eases traffic congestion between North and South Guwahati on NH-27.
* **Chambal River Bridge (Rajasthan):** A 1.4 km, 6-lane cable-stayed "hanging bridge" in Kota, dedicated in August 2017. It features specialized cable ducts to eliminate vibrations and enhance longevity.
* **Narmada River Bridge (Gujarat):** A 1.34 km extradosed bridge on NH-8 (Ahmedabad-Mumbai section) opened in March 2017; it was completed in 34 months to improve safety and regional economic development.
* **Ganga River Bridge (Bihar):** A 1.8 km, six-lane extradosed bridge on NH-31 (Aunta-Simaria section) inaugurated in August 2025. It provides a direct link between North and South Bihar, replacing the inadequate old Rajendra Setu.
* **Dhola–Sadiya Bridge (Assam/Arunachal Pradesh):** A 9.15 km beam bridge (Bhupen Hazarika Setu) over the Lohit River. It provides the first permanent road connection between northern Assam and eastern Arunachal Pradesh.
**Environmental and Strategic Engineering**
* **Wildlife Protection:** The Chambal River Bridge uses a 300-metre cable-suspended stretch without piers in the riverbed to protect the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary and its endangered species.
* **Military Capability:** The Dhola–Sadiya Bridge is engineered to withstand 60-tonne military tanks, including the Arjun and T-72 models, adding significant strategic value to the region.
**Impact Analysis**
**Commuters and Logistical Operators**
**Impact**
Commuters experience significantly reduced travel times, less traffic congestion, and smoother movement between major regions (e.g., North and South Guwahati, North and South Bihar).
**Action Required**
Utilize the new corridors and bridges to optimize transport routes and reduce operational delays.
**Indian Army / Ministry of Defence**
**Impact**
The strategic link between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh is strengthened by infrastructure capable of supporting heavy armored vehicles.
**Action Required**
Incorporate the Dhola–Sadiya Bridge into tactical movement plans for heavy military assets like Arjun and T-72 tanks.
**Environmental Agencies and Wildlife Authorities**
**Impact**
Sensitive ecosystems, such as the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, are preserved through pier-less bridge designs that avoid disturbing riverbeds.
**Action Required**
Monitor these areas to ensure the continued protection of endangered gharials, dolphins, and turtles within these infrastructure zones.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH): The primary government body responsible for the delivery and management of iconic bridge infrastructure projects across India.
Dhola–Sadiya Bridge (Bhupen Hazarika Setu): A 9.15 km bridge connecting Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, designed with strategic capability to support heavy military equipment like Arjun and T-72 tanks.
New Saraighat Bridge: A 1.49 km bridge over the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, Assam, which strengthens regional connectivity along the East–West Corridor (NH-27).
Chambal River Bridge: A cable-stayed bridge in Kota, Rajasthan, featuring an environment-friendly design to protect the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary.
Bridge over River Ganga, Bihar: A 1.8 km six-lane extradosed bridge on the Aunta–Simaria section of NH-31, providing a critical direct link between North and South Bihar.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Iconic Bridges: Pillars of New India’s
Infrastructure Transformation
प्रव तथ: 16 JUN 2026 6:53PM by PIB Delhi
Over the past twelve years, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
and the dynamic guidance of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin
Gadkari, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has delivered a series of iconic
bridge projects that have transformed connectivity across India's various regions. These
engineering marvels are not merely physical structures — they are powerful symbols of the
Government's abiding commitment to infrastructure-led development, national integration,
economic progress and inclusive growth. By connecting previously inaccessible regions,
reducing travel time and enhancing logistical efficiency, these bridges have played a vital role in
strengthening regional development and improving mobility.
Bridges: Marvels of Modern India
India is blessed with many rivers which are an integral part of people’s life, culture and economy.
It is no surprise that India also built some of the most magnificent bridges that span the mighty
rivers. Bridges shape everyday life in ways most of us barely notice. They shorten distances that
once took days to cross, open access to remote communities and withstand nature at its
fiercest.
Among the countless bridges that form a vast network throughout the country, several key
bridges exemplify the scale and vision of the infrastructure development in the country. Each one
carries its own unique design and the human resolve to overcome difficult terrain. From arch
bridges to the extradosed and cable-stayed bridges, the country takes pride in having
constructed super-structures that showcase exemplary architecture and engineering brilliance.
Bridge over Brahmaputra River, Guwahati
The 1.49 km long ‘New’ Saraighat Bridge over the mighty Brahmaputra River stands as a vital
connector for the state of Assam, running parallel to the historic Old Saraighat Bridge. Its
construction has significantly eased traffic congestion and ensured smoother movement for
thousands of daily commuters. The bridge enhances travel between North and South Guwahati,
while also strengthening movement along the East–West Corridor on NH-27.Bridge over Chambal River, Kota
One of the iconic engineering marvels of India is the 6-lane single plane cable-stayed bridge
across river Chambal in Kota, Rajasthan. With a length of 1.4 km, it is Rajasthan’s first hanging
bridge and was dedicated to the nation in August 2017.
The bridge is 30-metre-wide with 1.5-metre-wide footpaths on both sides. The stay cables are
composed of individually sheathed strands having triple protection. The external cable ducts are
capable of eliminating rain and wind-induced vibrations, enhancing strength and longevity of the
structure.
One of the major highlights of the bridge is its environment and wildlife-friendly design. A stretch
of nearly 300 metres of the six-lane bridge has been suspended with cables, avoiding any pier in
the riverbed to protect the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to the
endangered gharial, the red-crowned roof turtle, and the Ganges River dolphin.
Bridge over Narmada River, Bharuch
The 1.34 km long Bridge is built over river Narmada on NH-8 in Bharuch, Gujarat. It is an
extradosed bridge with one of the longest spans in the country, was open to traffic in March 2017
and was completed in a span of 34 months. The bridge is 20.8 metres wide with 3 metre
footpath on either side of the structure. The bridge is part of Ahmedabad-Mumbai section of NH-
8 in Baruch district of Gujarat and has provided impetus to speed, safety and economic
development of the region.Bridge over River Ganga, Bihar
The 1.8 km long six-lane bridge over the majestic river Ganga is located on the Aunta –Simaria
section of NH-31 in the state of Bihar. The project features one of India's widest extradosed
bridge designed with a single segmental structure having 34-metre-wide deck, over the river.
With span lengths ranging from 57 meter to 115 metre and 70 metre cantilever arms, the
structure exemplifies engineering excellence.
The bridge is constructed parallel to old Rajendra Setu, a two-lane rail-cum-road bridge built
nearly seven decades ago. Age and extensive repairs rendered it inadequate for heavy vehicles,
forcing them onto lengthy detours. The new six-lane extra-dosed bridge over river Ganga
provides direct link between North & South Bihar and was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime
Minister in August 2025.
Dhola–Sadiya Bridge
The 9.15 km long Dhola–Sadiya Bridge, also known as the Bhupen Hazarika Setu, is a vital link
between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, providing the first permanent road connection between
northern Assam and eastern Arunachal Pradesh. Built as a beam bridge, it sweeps over the
Lohit River, one of the Brahmaputra’s major tributaries, connecting Dhola in Tinsukia district to
Sadiya in the North. The Bridge is built to withstand load of 60-tonne military tanks, including the
Indian Army’s Arjun and T-72 models. This capability adds significant strategic value to the
structure.***
GDH/DS/HJ
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