100% found this document useful (1 vote)
158 views6 pages

Study Area

The Aunta-Simaria Cable Stayed Bridge project in Bihar, India, aims to enhance connectivity between Patna and Begusarai by constructing a 6-lane highway and a significant extradosed bridge over the Ganga River. This infrastructure project is expected to improve regional accessibility, reduce traffic congestion, and support economic growth by facilitating trade and tourism. Key features include its strategic location, innovative engineering design, and potential to stimulate urban development along its route.

Uploaded by

RANDHIR KUMAR
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
100% found this document useful (1 vote)
158 views6 pages

Study Area

The Aunta-Simaria Cable Stayed Bridge project in Bihar, India, aims to enhance connectivity between Patna and Begusarai by constructing a 6-lane highway and a significant extradosed bridge over the Ganga River. This infrastructure project is expected to improve regional accessibility, reduce traffic congestion, and support economic growth by facilitating trade and tourism. Key features include its strategic location, innovative engineering design, and potential to stimulate urban development along its route.

Uploaded by

RANDHIR KUMAR
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CHAPTER 4.

STUDY AREA

4.1 A Brief Introduction to the Aunta - Simaria Cable Stayed Bridge

The study area for the Aunta - Simaria Ganga Bridge project includes the Aunta- Simaria section
of the National Highway 31 (NH-31) in Bihar, India. This section spans approximately 8.15
kilometres, connecting Aunta in Patna district to Simaria in Begusarai district. The project involves
constructing a 6-lane highway and an extradosed cable-stayed bridge across the Ganga River. This
project aims to enhance connectivity between Patna and Begusarai districts by constructing one of
the widest extradosed bridges over the Ganga River. The bridge spans approximately 8.15 km,
with segments reaching up to 230 meters. The project is being executed under the Hybrid Annuity
Mode (HAM) by Welspun Enterprises, and it includes several engineering innovations such as the
use of high-performance concrete. The unique Project between Aunta in Patna district will be
significantly exchanging connectivity between the two-district addition to creating the shortest
road to travel from Patna to north eastern part of India

Figure 4.1 Construction work in progress Aunta - Simaria Ganga Bridge


Figure 4.2 Aunta - Simaria and Rajendra Setu over Ganga Bridge

4.2 Geographic and economical importance

The Aunta Simaria Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Ganges River in Bihar, India,
holds substantial geographic and economic significance for the region and beyond. Here's an
overview of its importance in these two areas:

Figure 4.3 Geographical View of Bihar, Gana Basin and A-S-B


4.2.1 Geographic Importance:

i. Strategic Location: The bridge connects Patna, the capital of Bihar, with Hajipur
and the rest of the region. It crosses the Ganges River, one of India’s most important
rivers, overcoming the natural barrier it creates and improving accessibility. This
bridge significantly enhances the connectivity of the Bihar plains with other
important regions in Northern India, facilitating smoother travel and transportation
across state lines.

Figure 4.4 Geographical View of Railway Bridge, Rajendra Setu and A-S-B

ii. Reduced Geographical Barriers: Before the Aunta Simaria Bridge, travelers had
to rely on the Mahatma Gandhi Setu or ferries to cross the Ganges, leading to
congestion and delays. The Aunta Simaria Bridge provides a more direct and
efficient route, especially for vehicles traveling between Patna and Hajipur. It helps
bypass traffic jams on older routes, offering an alternative route during peak hours,
floods, or other interruptions to transportation.
iii. Environmental Considerations: The cable-stayed design of the bridge minimizes
its environmental impact by using fewer piers in the water, which helps preserve
the river’s natural flow and reduces interference with water traffic. It is designed to
withstand seasonal flooding, which is common in the Ganges River basin, ensuring
year-round connectivity.
iv. Improvement in Regional Connectivity: The bridge facilitates faster transit for
commuters and tourists traveling between Patna, Hajipur, and other parts of Bihar.
It links key highways and road networks, contributing to a smoother transportation
experience, not just for locals but also for interstate travellers. It further integrates
Bihar into India's broader transportation network, supporting trade and movement
within the national economy.

v. Impact on Urban Development: The improved infrastructure promotes urban


growth along the bridge’s route. As transportation becomes more efficient, it paves
the way for new developments, including residential, commercial, and industrial
projects in the surrounding areas.

vi. Reduction in Traffic Congestion: The bridge alleviates the congestion on the
Mahatma Gandhi Setu (the older bridge on the same river), which often experiences
heavy traffic and delays. The construction of Aunta Simaria Bridge helps distribute
the traffic load more evenly, leading to a more efficient transportation network.

vii. Improvement in Public Safety: The new bridge helps improve road safety by
reducing the overload on existing bridges, preventing wear and tear, and offering a
more reliable and well-engineered alternative for vehicular movement. With a
higher load-bearing capacity and robust design, it contributes to overall public
safety for commuters.

4.2.2 Economic Importance:

i. Boost to Trade and Commerce: The bridge directly supports economic activities
by facilitating faster movement of goods between Patna (a major commercial hub)
and Hajipur (a significant agricultural and industrial center). It improves logistical
efficiency, helping to reduce transportation costs for businesses and merchants in
the region. It also opens up markets for goods in the Hajipur area, promoting
agricultural and industrial output, particularly in small-scale industries like textiles,
agriculture, and food processing
ii. Economic Growth for Bihar: Bihar, traditionally a less-developed state, benefits
from improved infrastructure. The bridge provides better access to key urban and
industrial hubs, encouraging investment and economic development in the region.
By easing transportation, the bridge strengthens local businesses, supports industrial
growth, and encourages new investments in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics,
and retail.

iii. Tourism and Cultural Impact: The improved accessibility brought by the Aunta
Simaria Bridge boosts tourism in the region. It makes it easier for tourists to visit
significant cultural and historical landmarks in and around Patna and Hajipur, such
as Nalanda, Vaishali, and Bodh Gaya. By enhancing connectivity between key tourist
destinations, it promotes the growth of the hospitality and tourism industries, creating
jobs and increasing revenue in the region.

iv. New economic zones: The business districts are likely to develop, capitalizing on
the improved access to urban and rural markets. The Aunta Simaria Bridge, with its
cable-stayed design, holds significant importance in several ways, particularly for
the region of Bihar and the broader Indian transportation network. Here are the key
aspects of its significance:

The Aunta Simaria Bridge serves as a critical piece of infrastructure, offering


both geographic and economic advantages. It enhances regional connectivity, supports
trade, commerce, and industrial growth, and contributes to the economic development
of Bihar. Additionally, by overcoming the geographical barrier posed by the Ganges
River, it strengthens the broader economic integration of the region with the rest of
India. The bridge is a key asset for boosting Bihar's infrastructure, commerce, and
future growth potential.

4.3. Key Features of the Bridge


The Aunta Simaria Bridge has some following key features mention below in
table.
SN Features Name Feature Details
1. Type: 1. Extradosed cable-stayed bridge, combining elements of both
cable-stayed and box girder bridges.
2. Location: 2. Connecting Aunta in Patna district to Simaria in Begusarai
district, across the Ganga River.

3. Length: 3. The bridge itself spans around 1.9 kilometres, with a total
project length of 8.15 kilometres including approach roads.

4. Width: The bridge features a width of 34 meters, making it one of the


4.
widest extradosed cable-stayed bridges in Asia.
5. Construction: Utilizes high-performance concrete with silica fume for
enhanced durability and longevity.
6. Special 5. Includes railway underpasses using Push Box Technology,
Structures: along with precast structures and girders.

7. Cable-Stayed 6. The Aunta Simaria Bridge employs a cable-stayed structural


Design: system, which is known for its strength and aesthetic appeal.
7. In this design, the bridge deck is supported by cables that are
attached to one or more towers.
8. This allows for longer spans with fewer piers in the water,
reducing environmental impact and construction complexity.
8. Strategic The bridge serves as a vital transport link in the northern part
Location: of India, improving access to key areas in Bihar.

9. Traffic The bridge is expected to ease the heavy traffic congestion that
Management: often occurs on the older bridges across the Ganges,
particularly the Mahatma Gandhi Setu.

10. Construction The bridge is designed to handle a significant amount of


and vehicular traffic and is engineered to withstand environmental
Engineering: challenges such as strong river currents and seasonal flooding.

4.4 Additional details

i. Population (North Bihar): The area is located in the simariya, Begusarai district of Bihar.
(851126) The population of Megusarai district in Bihar, INDIA was 2,970,541 as per the
2011 census The population density of Begusarai district 1540 people per km. Population
growth rate between 2001 and 2011 was 26.44 %.

ii. Population (South Bihar): The Area is located in the Aunta, Mokama Patna district of
Bihar (803301) The population of Mokama, Bihar was 60678 as per the 2011 census. The
population density of Mokama, Bihar was 902 people per square km. Population growth
rate between 2001 and 2011 was 17.64%. This bridge has been constructed parallel to the
Rajendra Setu, spanning across the Ganga River.

Common questions

Powered by AI

The Aunta-Simaria Bridge improves regional connectivity by providing a direct route across the Ganga River, linking Patna with Hajipur and other northern regions more efficiently . Strategically located across one of India's major rivers, it reduces congestion on older crossings like the Mahatma Gandhi Setu, thus facilitating smoother interstate travel and transportation . It integrates Bihar's road networks with national highways, supporting broader inter-state commerce and communication . The bridge's location enhances access to important urban and rural markets, fostering economic integration with the rest of India .

The Aunta-Simaria Bridge enhances economic development in Bihar by improving transportation efficiency, which lowers logistical costs for businesses . It provides direct support to trade and commerce by facilitating the faster movement of goods between Patna and Hajipur, enhancing market accessibility . The bridge's connectivity boosts tourism by making it easier for tourists to visit cultural sites in the region, thereby supporting local economies . Moreover, the improved infrastructure attracts investment and encourages the growth of urban and industrial projects, contributing to the overall economic development of Bihar .

The engineering innovations used in the Aunta-Simaria Cable Stayed Bridge include the use of high-performance concrete with silica fume, which enhances the bridge's durability and longevity . The bridge employs a cable-stayed structural system, allowing for longer spans with fewer piers, which reduces the environmental impact by minimizing interference with the river's natural flow . The design is intended to withstand seasonal flooding, ensuring continuous connectivity across the Ganges River . Additionally, the project involves railway underpasses using Push Box Technology, and other precast structures and girders, which streamline construction processes and further reduce environmental disturbance .

The key structural features of the Aunta-Simaria Bridge include its extradosed cable-stayed design, which combines elements of cable-stayed and box girder bridges, enhancing both strength and aesthetic appeal . The bridge's width of 34 meters makes it one of the widest of its kind in Asia, accommodating high traffic volumes . The use of high-performance concrete increases durability, while the cable-stayed system allows for longer spans with fewer piers, reducing environmental impact and construction complexity . These features contribute to the bridge's ability to support significant vehicular traffic and withstand environmental challenges, including river currents and flooding .

The Aunta-Simaria Bridge addresses environmental considerations by employing a cable-stayed design that minimizes the number of piers in the water, thereby maintaining the natural flow of the Ganga River and reducing interference with water traffic . This design choice helps protect local ecosystems and aquatic life. The bridge is also engineered to withstand seasonal flooding, ensuring that transportation remains uninterrupted year-round, which is crucial for a region prone to environmental fluctuations . These considerations are important as they ensure sustainable development by balancing infrastructure needs with ecological preservation .

Geographically, the Aunta-Simaria Bridge holds significant importance for Bihar as it crosses the Ganga River, a major natural barrier that previously led to transportation bottlenecks . By providing a direct link between Patna and Hajipur, the bridge enhances the connectivity of the Bihar plains with northern India, facilitating easier travel and transport across state lines . It offers an alternative route, bypassing older congestion-prone crossings like the Mahatma Gandhi Setu, thereby smoothing transportation logistics during peak hours or natural disruptions .

The Aunta-Simaria Bridge enhances public safety by offering a structurally robust and modern alternative to the heavily congested older bridges like the Mahatma Gandhi Setu . Its higher load-bearing capacity reduces the risk of structural strain and potential failures associated with overused infrastructures . By distributing vehicular load more evenly, the bridge alleviates traffic congestion, reducing delays and the likelihood of accidents . The availability of an additional crossing option ensures reliable transport routes, which is crucial during peak traffic times or emergencies .

The hybrid annuity mode (HAM) impacts the execution and financial management of the Aunta-Simaria Bridge project by combining public and private investment, which reduces the financial burden on the government and shares project risks with private developers . Under HAM, the government releases 40% of the project cost during the construction phase, with the remaining 60% financed and recovered by the private developer through annuity payments . This approach ensures cash flow for continuous project development and allows for timely completion while controlling public expenditure .

The Aunta-Simaria Bridge significantly impacts urban development in its vicinity by enhancing transportation efficiency, which attracts residential, commercial, and industrial projects . Improved infrastructure facilitates better access to urban areas, promoting the growth of business districts and industrial hubs along the bridge's route . The increased connectivity supports urban expansion and modernization, driving economic growth and increasing demand for real estate, thereby fostering the development of new housing and commercial facilities .

The construction of the Aunta-Simaria Bridge is expected to boost trade and commerce by facilitating more efficient movement of goods between Patna—a major commercial hub—and Hajipur, an agricultural and industrial center . The improved transportation link reduces logistical costs and opens new markets for local products, promoting regional economic activities . Enhanced access to urban centers encourages growth in small-scale industries and expands opportunities for industrial and agricultural output, especially in textiles and food processing . This increased market accessibility ultimately leads to economic growth in the area .

You might also like