It is the longest single river bridge in the world. The 5.575 Km long
architecture of Mahatma Gandhi Setu consists 46 spans of 121.065 Meter
each and 2 spans of 63.53 Meter at each end. The deck provides for a
7.5M wide 2 lane roadway for IRC class 70 R loading with 2M wide
footpaths on either side. The cantilever segmental construction method
is adopted to construct this mega bridge. This bridge was built by
Gammon India Limited. It was innaugurated by the then Prime Minister,
Indira Gandhi in 1982.
True engineering marvel, a miracle of equilibrium and
graceful in appearance, it was constructed by Gammon India with an
expenditure of Rs 87.22 crore. The river bridge has 45 intermediate
spans of 121.065 metres each and one span of 65.530 metres on both
sides. The technology used in the bridge was prestressing — cantilever
slabs with hinge bearings and box girder.
It took over a decade to construct this wonderful feat of engineering genius. Though the project was sanctioned in 1969 by the Central government, construction work could begin in 1972.
It took over a decade to construct this wonderful feat of engineering genius. Though the project was sanctioned in 1969 by the Central government, construction work could begin in 1972.
Patna
is located on the south bank of the river Ganga. Patna has a very long
riverline, and it is surrounded on three sides by rivers Ganga, Sone,
and Punpun. Just to the north of Patna across the river Ganga flows the
river Gandak.
In fact, before the inauguration of the Setu, north Bihar-bound people from Patna had to negotiate the Ganga either using a boat, a ship or a steamer. The only other option was taking a long and tiring rail route. So the basic purpose of the Setu was to cut short the travelling time from the state capital to north Bihar.
The view of river Ganga flowing down majestically below is simply breathtaking. Hundreds of pedestrians and over 40,000 vehicles ply every day across the longest cantilever bridge of Asia. Since its inauguration in 1982, the Gandhi Setu has been the passage of myriad activities. While brisk business is carried on at the one end of the bridge in the capital town itself, the same is happening in the various districts and towns of north Bihar. Both the markets together provide livelihood for over 1,00,000 people. Besides, thousands of people visit these markets from far off places every day. All acknowledge the role of this towering bridge in their business and daily life, creating a bond between two generations.
However, the Setu is now stressed beyond limit under the weight of heavy vehicles constantly plying over it from Patna and North Bihar and threatening its existence.
Two pillars of the bridge developed cracks four years ago, only 26 years after it was inaugurated. It wasn't supposed to, considering that it was flaunted as an engineering marvel that would serve people for at least a century.
Poor maintenance, coupled with wear and tear caused by the unprecedented surge in traffic, has made the structure vulnerable. If a larger crack develops, it will sever the lifeline between the state capital and north Bihar.
"For us the Setu is our lifeline. If there is further damage, the entire communication network with north Bihar will be paralysed,"
Investigations into the fissures revealed hammering at the hinges when vehicles plied; finger-type expansion joints in an advanced state of distress; wearing coat cracks; spilling of concrete at transverse joints; longitudinal cracks in precast segments; leakage of water inside the box girder from joints between segments and from holes provided for lifting the segments.
"Other bridges across the country built with the same design in cantilever technology but with slight variations have also developed cracks. The Mandovi river bridge in Goa, built with the same technology, collapsed 16 years into its commissioning while two other bridges on Zuari and Borim rivers, also in Goa, have developed problems and have been closed for heavy traffic," said NHAI sources.
The inherent fault of the pre-stressed technology notwithstanding, the increased load of traffic — estimated at 40,000 vehicles per day — has also damaged its piers.
"The Mahatma Gandhi Setu is now RCD's topmost priority. The NHAI was given the task of preparing a report for improving its condition through competitive bidding. It roped in the services of Mumbai-based SN Bhobe & Associates as a consultant for conducting a detailed study for undertaking renovation work of the Setu and finding out the feasibility of constructing a new bridge,"
In fact, before the inauguration of the Setu, north Bihar-bound people from Patna had to negotiate the Ganga either using a boat, a ship or a steamer. The only other option was taking a long and tiring rail route. So the basic purpose of the Setu was to cut short the travelling time from the state capital to north Bihar.
The view of river Ganga flowing down majestically below is simply breathtaking. Hundreds of pedestrians and over 40,000 vehicles ply every day across the longest cantilever bridge of Asia. Since its inauguration in 1982, the Gandhi Setu has been the passage of myriad activities. While brisk business is carried on at the one end of the bridge in the capital town itself, the same is happening in the various districts and towns of north Bihar. Both the markets together provide livelihood for over 1,00,000 people. Besides, thousands of people visit these markets from far off places every day. All acknowledge the role of this towering bridge in their business and daily life, creating a bond between two generations.
However, the Setu is now stressed beyond limit under the weight of heavy vehicles constantly plying over it from Patna and North Bihar and threatening its existence.
Two pillars of the bridge developed cracks four years ago, only 26 years after it was inaugurated. It wasn't supposed to, considering that it was flaunted as an engineering marvel that would serve people for at least a century.
Poor maintenance, coupled with wear and tear caused by the unprecedented surge in traffic, has made the structure vulnerable. If a larger crack develops, it will sever the lifeline between the state capital and north Bihar.
"For us the Setu is our lifeline. If there is further damage, the entire communication network with north Bihar will be paralysed,"
Investigations into the fissures revealed hammering at the hinges when vehicles plied; finger-type expansion joints in an advanced state of distress; wearing coat cracks; spilling of concrete at transverse joints; longitudinal cracks in precast segments; leakage of water inside the box girder from joints between segments and from holes provided for lifting the segments.
"Other bridges across the country built with the same design in cantilever technology but with slight variations have also developed cracks. The Mandovi river bridge in Goa, built with the same technology, collapsed 16 years into its commissioning while two other bridges on Zuari and Borim rivers, also in Goa, have developed problems and have been closed for heavy traffic," said NHAI sources.
The inherent fault of the pre-stressed technology notwithstanding, the increased load of traffic — estimated at 40,000 vehicles per day — has also damaged its piers.
"The Mahatma Gandhi Setu is now RCD's topmost priority. The NHAI was given the task of preparing a report for improving its condition through competitive bidding. It roped in the services of Mumbai-based SN Bhobe & Associates as a consultant for conducting a detailed study for undertaking renovation work of the Setu and finding out the feasibility of constructing a new bridge,"
However, Bhobe & Associates has suggested some short-term measures for immediate repair of the bridge, for which an estimate of Rs 29 crore has been prepared.
It may be mentioned here that road construction minister Nand Kishore Yadav had informed the Bihar Legislative Council in its last session that the ministry of surface transport and highways (MOSH) had transferred the stretch from 207.2km to 222km on NH-19, which includes Mahatma Gandhi Setu, to the NHAI through a gazette notification on September 28, 2011.
The inspection of the river bridge was in progress. Soon after the submission of the detailed project report (DPR), the NHAI would invite tender for the renovation and maintenance of the bridge.
"However, repair work of upstream extension joints and wearing coat of the bridge which is being redone with mastic asphalt and bituminous concrete is nearing completion. This is being done to make riding smooth and reduce load,"
"The RCD has also requested the central government to stop toll collection on the bridge as long queues of heavy vehicles waiting for their turn to pay tax only increases the static load on the bridge. However, the ministry is yet to respond to our request," said the RCD secretary.
Considering the significant role the Mahatma Gandhi Setu has been playing for decades in people's lives in this region, it is unimaginable to think of Patna skyline without Mahatma Gandhi Setu.
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