Bhagalpur: The Vikramshila Setu, a key road link connecting eastern Bihar with Seemanchal and north Bihar, will be completely closed to traffic for three months from October 1, 2026. During the 90-day closure, all vehicular movement on the bridge will remain suspended to facilitate permanent restoration work.
The closure comes after a section of the historic bridge collapsed into the Ganga on the night of May 26, 2026. The Border Roads Organisation subsequently constructed a Bailey bridge as an emergency measure to restore traffic.
Permanent Steel Truss Bridge to Be Constructed
The damaged section will now undergo permanent reconstruction with a steel truss bridge. Bihar Road Construction Department Minister Engineer Kumar Shailendra said the restoration and redevelopment work would be carried out at an estimated cost of around ₹99 crore.
According to the minister, barricading will begin on the night of September 30, followed by the removal of the four Bailey bridges to facilitate the permanent construction work.
The administration has said the work is targeted for completion within the stipulated three-month period, after which the renovated bridge will be reopened to the public.
12 Ships to Provide Free 24-Hour Service
With the bridge closed, the district administration and Bihar government have prepared an alternative waterway to reduce inconvenience for commuters, local residents and businesses.
A fleet of 12 large ships will be deployed to facilitate Ganga crossings. According to the administration, the ships will operate round the clock and provide the service free of charge.
The vessels will also remain available for emergency and medical requirements so that patients and other people requiring urgent transportation do not face difficulties during the closure.
Alternative Road Route via Munger
Apart from the waterway, passengers who need to travel by road will have an alternative route through the Munger-Mirzachowki four-lane project.
The newly constructed two-lane road between Munger and Bhagalpur has been opened for traffic. Travellers heading from Bhagalpur towards north Bihar can use the Munger bridge as an alternative route during the Vikramshila Setu closure.
New Features After Restoration
The Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation and district administration have appealed to the public to cooperate with the restoration work.
After the three-month closure, the bridge is expected to reopen in a renovated form with improved railings, a new road surface, repaired expansion joints and modern lighting arrangements.
