A mega project, worth Rs 516 crores, and sanctioned way back in 2003-04 would bear fruition on Friday when the prime minister Narendra Modia would inaugurate the 1.9km-long Kosi Rail Mega Bridge in Bihar, along the India-Nepal border, through a video conference.
“This bridge is of strategic importance along the India-Nepal border. The project was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic where the migrant labour also participated in its completion,” a government release said.
The government called the completion of Kosi Rail Mahasetu as a watershed moment in the history of Bihar. Notably, a metre gauge link existed between Nirmali and Bhaptiahi (Saraigarh), however, in 1934 the rail link was washed away. Since then no attempt was made to build a railway bridge due to the meandering nature of Kosi river.
“The dedication of the Kosi Rail Mahasetu is a watershed moment in the history of Bihar and the entire region connecting to the North East. In 1887, a meter gauge link was built in between Nirmali and Bhaptiahi (Saraigarh). During the heavy flood and severe Indo Nepal earthquake in 1934, the rail link was washed away and thereafter due to meandering nature of river Kosi no attempt was made to restore this Rail link for long period,” the government release read.
“The Kosi Mega Bridge line project was sanctioned by Government of India during 2003-04. The Kosi Rail Mahasetu is 1.9 KM long and its construction cost is Rs. 516 Crore. This bridge is of strategic importance along the India-Nepal border. The project was completed during the COVID-Pandemic where the migrant labour also participated in its completion,” it added.
The prime minister will also inaugurate other rail projects, including two new line projects at Hajipur-Ghoswar-Vaishali and Islampur-Nateshar, Karnauti-Bakhtiyarpur link bypass and 3rd line between Barh-Bakhiyarpur.
PM Modi will also give the green signal to the Railway electrification projects of Muzaffarpur – Sitamarhi, Katihar–New Jalpaiguri, Samastipur-Darbhanga-Jaynagar, Samastipur-Khagaria, Bhagalpur-Shivnarayanpur Sections.
In a big relief to residents of Supaul, Arariya and Saharsa districts, PM Modi will also flag off the Supaul- Raghopura DEMU train from the Supaul station. The train will “make it easy for long distance travel to Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai for the people of the region”.
