The Border Roads Organisation and Bihar state authorities are constructing temporary Bailey bridges on the damaged Vikramshila Setu in Bhagalpur [1].
This restoration effort is critical for reconnecting the community after the original bridge collapsed or sustained heavy damage, cutting off a vital transport link across the Ganga River [2, 3].
Officials said they plan to install a total of three Bailey bridges to bypass the damaged sections [4]. One bridge has already been launched [4]. The second bridge is expected to be finished within two to three days [4, 5].
Each temporary Bailey bridge measures 50 meters in length [2]. The Ministry of Engineering Services is coordinating with the Border Roads Organisation to ensure the structural integrity of these spans, which are designed for rapid deployment in emergency scenarios, before they are opened to the public [1, 3].
While some reports suggest a quicker turnaround following the completion of the second bridge, other authorities said that limited movement is expected to start on June 5 [5, 6]. This timeline allows for necessary safety checks to be performed on the temporary structures before light vehicles are permitted to cross [6].
The project focuses on restoring basic connectivity for light-vehicle passage [3]. This interim solution allows the government to maintain regional mobility while long-term repairs or a full reconstruction of the Vikramshila Setu are planned [2, 3].
“One bridge has already been launched”
The use of Bailey bridges—a portable, pre-fabricated truss bridge design—indicates that the damage to the Vikramshila Setu is significant enough to require a complete bypass of certain sections. By prioritizing light-vehicle traffic, authorities are attempting to mitigate the economic and social isolation of the affected regions while avoiding the risks associated with heavy freight on temporary structures.
