Mahatma Gandhi Setu is the second-largest river bridge in India. Mahatma Gandhi Setu is situated at the Bihar district in India. It was inaugurated in May 1982. This bridge was named after the” Fathe of Nation”, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi Setu is also known as Gandhi Setu or Ganga Setu. This site is just 6 kilometers from Patna city. This man-made marvel reflects the progress of Incredible India.
History Behind Mahatma Gandhi Setu
Bihar State Road Development Corporation’s first approach in parliament for the importance of this bridge. After that, the central government approved this project in 1969. Government authority gives the patient to the largest civil engineering company. The tender cost of this project was 23.50 crore. After all official procedures, the bride constriction started in the year of 1972.
The expected schedule date for opening this bridge was in the middle of 1978. But anyhow the bridge opens after four years later from the expected date.Above all, There are lots of reasons for extents the opening date. Firstly, Due to a heavy storm, a particular part fully destroyed in April 1979. Secondly, insufficient constriction material like Steen and cement. Thirdly, and most importantly, labor stricks play a huge role to extend the opening date. However, overcome this all issues, bridge open in May 1982. Above all, the total cost to build this bridge was 81 crore. Indra Gandhi, then the prime minister of India ceremonially inaugurated this bridge in the side of Hajipur.
Plan and Constriction
Bihar State Road Development Corporation first proposed this bridge issue in the cabinet meeting. After that, in 1969 the central government of India approved this project. On behalf of the government, the tender of the bridge selected Rs 23.50 crore. This bridge designed and constructed by the then-largest construction company, Gammon India Limited. There is two cantilever beam on both sides of this bridge; along with hinge bearings and box girders.Those beams allow the whole bridge to free movement. As per construction authority, this bridge easily allows earthquake up to 7 in Richter scale.
Mahatma Gandhi bridge is really a marvel architecture and unique in its own segment bridge type. Mahatma Gandhi is a Girder type bridge. Largest civil construction company Gammon India Limited designed this bridge. The total time it takes to build the bridge is about 10 years. The length of this bridge is 5.75 kilometers. And the width of this bridge is 25 miter. There are 45 concrete pilers constructed inside the Ganges river, that supports the whole bridge. The spans of each pillar are 121.065 meters. The builder left enough space under the bridge to let a ship go. Recently, in 2017 Present prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated this bridge after repair work.
Significance of Mahatma Gandhi Setu:
Gandi Setu plays a huge role in transportation between Patna city and Hajipur. Passengers can enjoy a magnificent view of the sacred river Ganges over the bridge. Gandi Setu has Four lanes of the roadway and one pavement on each side. This bridge every day smoothly manage huge traffic of almost 85000 vehicles. Before this construction, the only way to crossing Ganges was Rajendra Setu. RajendraSetu is a Rail-cum-Road Bridge which situated approx 75 km east from Gandhi Setu.
Indian postal department issued a postal stamp on this historical Landmark. This bridge connects northern and southern Bihar.NH-18 passed through this bridge. This bridge is the lifeline of Patna and Hajipur in Bihar.
