Mahatma Gandhi Setu (Hindi: महात्मा गांधी सेतु) (also called Gandhi Setu or Ganga Setu) is a bridge over the river Ganges connecting Patna in the south to Hajipur in the north of Bihar.^[1] It was the longest river bridge in India at the time of its construction and remains the longest river bridge in Asia.^[2] It was inaugurated in May 1982 by the then Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi.

Its length is 5,575 metres (18,291 ft)^[3] which makes it one of the longest bridges in the world.

Planning and Significance

This bridge was approved by the Central Government in 1969 and built by Gammon India Limited over a period of ten years, from 1972 to 1982. It was built in connect North Bihar with the rest of Bihar. Before this bridge was constructed, Rajendra Setu, opened in 1959, was the only link to North Bihar. Since then, the Vikramshila Setu has also been built across the Ganges. Two more rail-cum-road bridges are currently under construction, between Digha and Sonepur^[4] and at Munger.^[5]

The Indian postal department issued a commemorative postage stamp on Landmark Bridges Of India: Mahatma Gandhi Setu of denomination 0500 Paise on 17 August 2007.^[6]

Engineering Details

This bridge consists 45 intermediate spans of 121.065 metres (397.19 ft) each and a span of 65.530 metres (214.99 ft) at each end.^[7] The deck provides for a 7.5 metres (25 ft) wide two lane roadway for IRC class 70 R loading with footpaths on either side.^[8] The cantilever segmental construction method was adopted to construct this mega bridge.