Chirag Paswan backs 'Nitish Setu' name for Bihar's ₹5,000 crore Ganga bridge
Synopsis
A ₹5,000 crore, 19.30-km six-lane bridge across the Ganga is set to end decades of isolation for Bihar's Raghopur Diara communities — and its naming as 'Nitish Setu' has drawn rare cross-party praise, with Chirag Paswan calling it the most deserving tribute to Nitish Kumar's legacy. PM Modi is expected to inaugurate it on 21 November at Vaishali.
Key Takeaways
Chirag Paswan welcomed the decision to name the Raghopur-Bidupur Ganga bridge as 'Nitish Setu' on 14 November .
The six-lane bridge spans 19.30 km and has been built at an estimated cost of ₹5,000 crore .
The main 9.76-km Ganga crossing uses extradosed cable-stayed technology and rests on 67 pillars .
It will become the third major bridge linking Patna with North Bihar, after the Digha bridge and Mahatma Gandhi Setu .
Accompanying projects include a dam , industrial zone , logistics hub , and IT park in the surrounding region.
PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the bridge on 21 November at Rajapakar, Vaishali district .
Union Food Processing Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has welcomed the decision to name the newly constructed Raghopur-Bidupur Ganga bridge in Bihar as 'Nitish Setu', calling it the most fitting tribute to former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's contributions to the state's development. The minister's remarks came on 14 November, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Bihar on 21 November to inaugurate the bridge.
Why the Bridge Matters
The six-lane bridge, spanning approximately 19.30 km, has been built at an estimated cost of ₹5,000 crore and is designed to significantly improve connectivity between North and South Bihar. The structure rests on 67 pillars, and its 9.76-km main section across the Ganga has been constructed using modern extradosed cable-stayed technology. Once operational, it will become the third major bridge linking Patna with North Bihar, joining the JP Ganga Path's Digha bridge and the Mahatma Gandhi Setu.
Relief for Raghopur Diara Residents
Paswan highlighted that residents of the Raghopur Diara region had long suffered from the absence of a permanent road crossing. During the flood season, crossing the Ganga became hazardous, leaving communities entirely dependent on boats and frequently endangering lives. The new bridge is expected to end decades of this isolation, transforming daily travel for thousands of families.
'The work done by former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the development of this region and Bihar as a whole is commendable. I firmly believe there could be no better name for this bridge than Nitish Setu,' Paswan said.
Broader Development Plans for the Region
The bridge is not an isolated project. The government has announced a cluster of accompanying development initiatives for the surrounding area, including the construction of a dam, an industrial zone, a logistics hub, and an IT park. These projects are expected to attract fresh investment and generate employment for local youth, positioning the corridor as an emerging economic zone in central Bihar.
PM Modi's Inauguration Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Bihar on 21 November, when he is expected to formally inaugurate the bridge along with several other development projects at a major programme in Rajapakar, Vaishali district. The event is likely to carry significant political weight ahead of the state's electoral calendar, with the ruling National Democratic Alliance keen to showcase infrastructure delivery in the region.
Point of View
And PM Modi's 21 November inauguration visit amplifies the political dividend for all partners. What mainstream coverage underplays is the infrastructure story itself: a 19.30-km cable-stayed bridge at ₹5,000 crore is a genuinely significant engineering undertaking for Bihar, a state that has historically lagged on cross-Ganga connectivity. The real test will be whether the promised industrial zone, logistics hub, and IT park materialise — or whether they remain announcement-stage placeholders, as similar companion projects have in the past.
NationPress
14 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Nitish Setu' bridge in Bihar?
'Nitish Setu' is the name given to the newly constructed Raghopur-Bidupur Ganga bridge in Bihar, a six-lane structure spanning approximately 19.30 km built at an estimated cost of ₹5,000 crore. It is named in honour of former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and is set to become the third major bridge connecting Patna with North Bihar.
Why is the Raghopur-Bidupur bridge significant for Bihar?
The bridge addresses a long-standing connectivity gap for residents of the Raghopur Diara region, who have historically depended on boats to cross the Ganga, particularly during the flood season. Once operational, it will considerably reduce travel time between North and South Bihar and is expected to spur economic development through accompanying projects including an industrial zone and logistics hub.
When will PM Modi inaugurate the Nitish Setu bridge?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Bihar on 21 November, when he is expected to inaugurate the bridge along with other development projects at a programme in Rajapakar, Vaishali district.
What technology has been used to construct the bridge?
The 9.76-km main section of the bridge across the Ganga has been built using extradosed cable-stayed technology, a modern construction method. The entire structure rests on 67 pillars and spans a total length of approximately 19.30 km.
What other development projects are planned alongside the bridge?
The government has announced plans for a dam, an industrial zone, a logistics hub, and an IT park in the region surrounding the bridge. These projects are intended to attract investment and create employment opportunities for local youth in Bihar.
