Government orders full closure; temporary river services and Bailey bridges to maintain connectivity
Bhagalpur — The Vikramshila Setu, the major bridge linking Bhagalpur with the Seemanchal region across the Ganga, will be closed to traffic for three months from 1 October to allow construction of a permanent steel truss bridge, the Road Construction Department Minister, Engineer Kumar Shailendra, said on Wednesday.
The minister told reporters that the closure decision was taken by the government and was announced earlier by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, but execution had been delayed because of flood-related conditions. He said arrangements have been made to reduce inconvenience to commuters during the interim period.
- Closure period: 1 October for three months.
- Work to be done: Construction of a permanent steel truss bridge and repairs including new railings, improved road surface, repaired expansion joints and upgraded lighting.
- Interim measures: 12 large vessels to operate free of charge round the clock; three Bailey bridges planned to restore temporary road connectivity.
Officials earlier halted traffic after a slab between two pillars collapsed on 3 May. According to official accounts, an expansion joint first subsided and then a slab near pier number 133 fell into the river, prompting the initial closure and diversion of routes.
"The government has ensured that the public faces no hardship during this interim period by arranging for 12 large vessels to operate free of charge and around the clock," the minister said.
Border Roads Organisation sources cited in official briefings said that one of the planned Bailey bridges had already been launched, while work on the remaining temporary bridges was in progress. The permanent steel truss project is expected to give the bridge a renewed appearance with properly constructed railings, a well-laid carriageway, repaired expansion joints and improved lighting, the minister added.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Reason for closure | Construction of permanent steel truss bridge; earlier slab collapse and subsidence of expansion joint |
| Start date | 1 October |
| Duration | Three months |
| Interim arrangements | 12 large vessels operating free 24x7; three Bailey bridges planned (one launched) |
The Vikramshila Setu is a strategic transport artery for Bhagalpur and neighbouring districts. Its prolonged closure carries immediate consequences for daily commuters, goods movement and emergency services that rely on the river crossing. While the state has offered free river ferrying and temporary bridgework, local traders and transporters are likely to face higher turnaround times and logistical complications until the permanent work is complete.
Officials have not released a detailed traffic management plan or timings for the scheduled river services. Residents and commercial operators in Bhagalpur will watch the implementation closely, particularly the launch schedule for the remaining Bailey bridges and the capacity of the vessels to handle peak-hour traffic.
The government’s stated aim is to deliver a safer, more durable bridge with upgraded safety features and lighting. The three-month window is being presented as necessary for the permanent steel truss installation and associated repairs that follow the earlier structural failures.
Work on the permanent structure and interim connectivity measures will be coordinated by the Road Construction Department and agencies involved in the Bailey bridge deployment, with BRO officers engaged in the temporary installations, officials said.
Further technical details, cost estimates or a phased traffic restoration schedule were not disclosed in the minister’s statement. Local administrations in Bhagalpur are expected to release more operational information ahead of the closure date to help commuters plan alternate routes and timings.
Impact watch: The closure highlights persistent infrastructure challenges in flood-prone river crossings and the importance of resilient designs for major lifelines linking Bhagalpur with adjoining regions.
