Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the Kosi Rail Mega Bridge in Bihar at 12pm on Friday.
In addition to the bridge, the prime minister will inaugurate another 12 railway projects related to passenger facilities for the benefit of the state, according to a statement from the Ministry of Railways.
A new railway bridge on the Kiul river, two new railway lines, five electrification projects, a shed for electric locomotives in Barauni and a third line project between Barh-Bakhtiyarpur are some of them, the statement added.
“The dedication of the Kosi Rail Mahasetu is a watershed moment in the history of Bihar and the entire region that connects to the northeast. In 1887, a meter gauge link was built between Nirmali and Bhaptiahi (Saraigarh). During the heavy flood and severe earthquake between India and Nepal in 1934, the railway connection was washed away. Thereafter, due to the meandering nature of the Kosi River, no attempt was made to restore this rail link for an extended period, ”he said.
The historic project to build the bridge, which is 1.9 kilometers long and has been built at a cost of Rs 516 crore, was sanctioned by the Center in 2003-04, according to the statement.
The bridge, inaugurated before the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, is of strategic importance along the India-Nepal border.
“This bridge is of strategic importance along the border. The project was completed during the Covid-19 pandemic, where migrant labor also participated in its completion, ”the statement added.
(with contributions from the agency)
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