Over the past twelve years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has delivered a series of iconic bridge projects that have transformed connectivity across India’s regions. These structures are more than physical infrastructure. They stand as symbols of the government’s commitment to infrastructure-led development, national integration, economic progress, and inclusive growth. By connecting regions that were once hard to reach, cutting travel time, and improving logistics, these bridges have strengthened regional development and mobility across the country.
Bridges are Marvels of Modern India
India is home to many rivers that are woven into the life, culture, and economy of its people, so it’s no surprise the country has also built some of its most striking bridges across them. Bridges shape everyday life in ways most people barely notice. They shorten journeys that once took days, open up access to remote communities, and hold firm against nature at its harshest.
Among the vast network of bridges spanning the country, several stand out for the scale and vision behind them. Each carries its own design and its own story of overcoming difficult terrain, from arch bridges to extradosed and cable-stayed structures. India takes pride in having built super-structures that reflect real architectural and engineering skill.
New Saraighat Bridge, Guwahati
The 1.49 km long ‘New’ Saraighat Bridge over the Brahmaputra River is a vital connector for Assam, running parallel to the historic Old Saraighat Bridge. Its construction has eased traffic congestion considerably and made movement smoother for thousands of daily commuters. The bridge improves travel between North and South Guwahati and strengthens movement along the East-West Corridor on NH-27.
Chambal River Bridge, Kota
Among India’s standout engineering projects is the 6-lane, single-plane cable-stayed bridge across the Chambal River in Kota, Rajasthan. At 1.4 km long, it’s Rajasthan’s first hanging bridge, and it was dedicated to the nation in August 2017.
It is 30 metres wide, with 1.5-metre-wide footpaths on both sides. Its stay cables are made of individually sheathed strands with triple protection, and the external cable ducts are built to eliminate rain- and wind-induced vibrations, adding to the structure’s strength and longevity.
One of its standout features is an environment- and wildlife-friendly design. Nearly 300 metres of the six-lane bridge is suspended by cables with no piers placed in the riverbed, protecting the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the endangered gharial, the red-crowned roof turtle, and the Ganges River dolphin.
Narmada River Bridge, Bharuch
The 1.34 km long bridge over the Narmada River sits on NH-8 in Bharuch, Gujarat. It’s extradosed with one of the longest spans in the country, opened to traffic in March 2017 after a 34-month construction period. The bridge is 20.8 metres wide, with a 3-metre footpath on either side. As part of the Ahmedabad-Mumbai section of NH-8 in Bharuch district, it has given a boost to speed, safety, and economic development in the region.
Ganga River Bridge, Bihar
The 1.8 km long, six-lane bridge over the Ganga sits on the Aunta-Simaria section of NH-31 in Bihar. It’s one of India’s widest extradosed bridges, built as a single segmental structure with a 34-metre-wide deck. Span lengths run from 57 metres to 115 metres, with cantilever arms reaching 70 metres, making it a genuine feat of engineering.
It runs parallel to the old Rajendra Setu, a two-lane rail-cum-road bridge built nearly seven decades ago. Age and years of repairs had left it unable to handle heavy vehicles, pushing them onto long detours instead. The new six-lane extradosed bridge over the Ganga now provides a direct link between North and South Bihar, and it was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in August 2025.
Dhola-Sadiya Bridge
The 9.15 km long Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, also known as the Bhupen Hazarika Setu, links Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and provides the first permanent road connection between northern Assam and eastern Arunachal Pradesh. Built as a beam bridge, it crosses the Lohit River, one of the Brahmaputra’s major tributaries, connecting Dhola in Tinsukia district to Sadiya in the north. It’s designed to carry the load of 60-tonne military tanks, including the Indian Army’s Arjun and T-72 models, giving it real strategic value beyond its role in civilian connectivity.
Key Takeaway: India’s landmark bridge projects reflect the country’s focus on infrastructure-led development by enhancing connectivity, boosting economic activity, and strengthening national integration. From the New Saraighat Bridge and Bhupen Hazarika Setu in the Northeast to the Chambal, Narmada, and Ganga bridges, these engineering achievements have reduced travel time, improved logistics, and expanded access to remote regions while incorporating strategic and environmentally sustainable features. For government exam aspirants, these projects are significant examples of modern transport infrastructure, regional development, strategic connectivity, and engineering innovation under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, making them relevant for questions on infrastructure, geography, and public policy.
M.C.Q.
Question 1: The Bhupen Hazarika Setu (Dhola-Sadiya Bridge) is built across which river?
- A. Brahmaputra
- B. Lohit
- C. Subansiri
- D. Dibang
Question 2: The New Saraighat Bridge is constructed across which river?
- A. Ganga
- B. Narmada
- C. Brahmaputra
- D. Chambal
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