Fact 🧞‍♂️

Mahatma Gandhi Setu – The Bridge That Once Ruled the Ganga

Once the pride of India’s infrastructure, the **Mahatma Gandhi Setu** in Patna remains a 5.75 km symbol of engineering and resilience. Now reborn with modern steel decks, it continues to unite North and South Bihar over the timeless Ganga.

Pratik Kamble

07 Oct 2025 — 1 min read

Mahatma Gandhi Setu – The Bridge That Once Ruled the Ganga

🧭 Spotgenie Fact

Before the modern mega bridges of today, there stood a giant that ruled the Ganga for decades, the Mahatma Gandhi Setu in Patna, Bihar.
Stretching 5.75 kilometers, this bridge once held the title of India’s longest river bridge, connecting Patna (south) to Hajipur (north) over the mighty Ganga River.

🏗️ Engineering Highlights

Total Length: 5.75 km
Opened: May 1982 (inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi)
Type: Prestressed concrete box girder bridge
Carries: 4-lane NH19 (formerly NH1), pedestrians, and utilities
Built By: Gammon India Ltd.
Cost: Approx. ₹87 crores at the time (1980s value)
Recent Renovation: In 2020, Afcons Infrastructure partnered with SP Singla Constructions and ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Germany) for a ₹1,742 crore rehabilitation, replacing old concrete slabs with modular steel decks.

🌉 Why It’s Special

When opened, the Mahatma Gandhi Setu wasn’t just a bridge, it was a lifeline.
It connected North Bihar’s agrarian regions to Patna, fueling trade, education, and social ties across the Ganga.
Its sheer size and scale made it one of India’s most iconic infrastructural achievements of the 20th century.

Even after four decades, it remains one of the longest river bridges in Asia, a silent witness to Bihar’s journey through modernization.

🕰️ Curious Twist

Over time, the bridge suffered heavy traffic and structural wear, leading to slowdowns and frequent repairs.
But instead of fading away, it’s being reborn with global technology, showing how old icons can adapt to new times.

💡 SpotGenie Insight

Just as the Mahatma Gandhi Setu connects Bihar’s two halves over the Ganga, SpotGenie Smart QR Stickers connect vehicle owners with bystanders instantly, bridging communication gaps when it matters most.
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