Bhagalpur: The renovation of the Vikramshila Setu—a vital lifeline connecting North and South Bihar—has gained momentum. Recent progress includes the successful installation (launching) of two steel truss girders at the site previously occupied by a Bailey bridge. A team of engineers and technical staff is working around the clock on this mission. However, given the highly complex nature of the work and stringent technical standards, it is almost certain that the January 14 deadline set by the Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation will not be met. According to technical sources and media reports, the restoration plan involves repairing four major affected sections of the bridge.
The design requires the installation of two steel girders in each of these four sections, totaling eight steel girders. Currently, work has been completed at only two locations, while the delicate task of cutting away old, dilapidated concrete beams is still underway for the remaining two sections. Following the girder launching, steel decking will be laid, followed by the installation of a steel reinforcement mesh and the pouring of concrete slabs. The engineering team aims to complete the concrete pouring by December 15. Under technical protocols, concrete requires a curing period of at least 28 days after pouring, after which a load test can be conducted.
As this scientific process cannot be accelerated, it is practically impossible for the bridge to be fully operational by mid-January. Notably, the administrative and construction teams are replacing the bridge’s old concrete footpaths and heavy railings with lightweight steel structures to reduce the overall load on the bridge. The remaining girders will be launched over the next few days, once new bearings have been installed on the two remaining sections. To ensure the smooth flow of traffic, the administration has introduced an alternative arrangement: the operation of cargo vessels from Barari Biada Ghat. This will allow heavy vehicles to cross, thereby minimizing inconvenience to the local population.
