Bridges are a crucial part of a country’s infrastructure. It ensures that the people get to places that were once not reachable and increases the flow of economy. Bridges in India are feats of engineering marvel that deserve an international recognition. These bridges provide a connectivity service for people looking to commute from one place to the other. India is home to some of the most stunning, strong and well-built bridges in the world.
# Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Bridge (21,800 m)Currently under construction with the prospect of opening for public usage in September 2023, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Bridge is a massive 21 km long, 6 Lane Road Bridge. This will be connecting Mumbai city with its satellite city of Navi Mumbai. On its completion it would be the longest sea bridge in India. The bridge journey will start off from Sewri in South Mumbai and go on till Chirle near Nhava Sheva via the thane creek which is located north of the Elephanta islands. Although the bridge construction was on halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is currently being constructed under full swing and is expected to open up sooner than ever.
# Kachchi Dargah Bidupur Ganga Bridge (9,760 m)
The Kacchi Dargah Bidupur Bridge spans across the holy Ganga River and connects Kacchi Dargah in Patna to Bidupur in Hajipur in the eastern state of Bihar. Once the construction is complete by 2023, the bridge will prove to be a very economical and an easy walkway connecting northern and southern ends of Bihar. It will also come in handy in connecting two major national highways of NH 32 and NH 33. The bridge will substantially reduce the excess load of vehicles and transportation at the Mahatma Gandhi Bridge in Patna. The primary intention for the bridge being built is for it to connect Arrah and Chhapra.
# Bhupen Hazarika Setu (9,150 m)Connecting Assam with its neighbouring state of Arunachal Pradesh, the Bhupen Hazarika Setu which is also known as Dhola Sadiya Bridge is 9.15 kms long. This is also the longest bridge in India and spans across the Lohit River which is one of the major tributaries of the holy Brahmaputra River. The bridge is also the first permanent connection between northern Assam and Eastern Arunachal Pradesh. Completed in 2017 and inaugurated by our honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this bridge is surrounded by an absolutely stunning and expansive natural landscape.
# Dibang River Bridge (6,200 m)Dibang River Bridge is a 6.2 km long all weather bridge connecting the Dambuk and Roing parts of eastern Arunachal Pradesh. The beam bridge takes you over the Dibang River which is an upstream tributary river of the iconic Brahmaputra River. This 2nd longest bridge of India was completed and opened for travellers during 2018 as a part of the NH13 trans-Arunachal highway project. The bridge spans across the lower Dibang Valley region of the state and it is not only convenient for tourists and locals but it is also strategically built for the convenience of army and military Personnels to keep anti-national activities at bay.
# Mahatma Gandhi Setu (5,750 m)Also referred to as Gandhi Setu or Ganga Setu, and occupying the places for being the 3rd longest bridge in India, this bridge is 5.7 kms long. Inaugurated in 1982 by honourable prime minister, Indira Gandhi, the bridge goes over the holy Ganga River connecting Patna in the south and Hajipur in the north. Built by Gammon India, over a period of 10 years, the bridge was built with the intention of connecting the northern end of Bihar to the rest of the state.
# Bandra-Worli Sea Link (5,600 m)Bandra Worli Sea Link is probably one of the most instagrammable sea bridges in India. Located in the city of dreams, Mumbai, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is 5.6 km long and gained popularity for being the 4th longest bridge in India. The sea link is a blessing in disguise for the daily commuters in Mumbai as it majorly reduces travel time between Bandra and Worli from half an hour to just 10 minutes. Also referred to as Rajiv Gandhi Bridge the construction involved not only India but also a skilled set of workforce from abroad like Switzerland, Egypt, China, Canada etc.
# Godavari Fourth Bridge (5,062 m)Built over the Godavari River in Rajahmundry, this unique dual bridge works perfectly in connecting the two cities of Kovvur in east Godavari to Diwancheruvu Junction in Rajamahendravaram. The bridge has worked like a charm in cutting down the travel time from Kolkata to Chennai by at least 150 kms. This bridge is 5 kms long and the engineering design can be credited to the company Gammon India. The foundation stone for the bridge was laid in 2009 and it was finally opened for public usage in 2015.
# Bogibeel Bridge (4,940 m)Located in the Dibrugarh district of Assam, Bogibeel combines road and Rail Bridge over the mighty Brahmaputra River. Other than being the 5th longest bridge in India, it is also the longest road-cum-rail bridge that runs for a length of over 4.9 kms. Due its location in the notorious earthquake-prone zone of Northeast India, the Bogibeel Bridge is India’s first bridge to have fully welded steel concrete support beams that can stand earthquakes up to the scale of 7 on the Richter scale.
# Vikramshila Bridge (4,700 m)This 6th longest bridge in India across the Ganga River is situated near Bhagalpur in Bihar. The bridge is 4.7 km long and this massive two-lane bridge functions as a connector between NH 33 and NH 31. The bridge extends from the Barari Ghat on the Bhagalpur side of the southern bank of Ganges and goes on till the naugachia on the northern end. This has worked as a charm in substantially reducing the travel time between Bhagalpur and other places on the other side of the Ganges. Currently, many people have started using the Vikramshila Bridge so much that it is experiencing congestion and people are demanding another bridge to be built parallel to it.
# Vembanad Rail Bridge (4,620 m)Connecting Edappally and Vallarpadam and opened for function in 2010, Vembanad Rail Bridge is the 2nd longest railway bridge in India. The bridge stretches out at a length of 4.62 km and is one of the most wonderful bridges in Kochi, Kerala. Built by the Rail Vikas Nigam of Chennai, this railway line runs 3 kms parallel to the old existing track until Vaduthala. The railway track also passes through 3 islands and can be ranked as one of the most scenic railway routes in India. Since 80% of the bridge is constructed over water, the train ride is extremely rewarding.
# Digha Sonpur Bridge (4,556 m)The Digha Sonpur Bridge is a rail cum Road Bridge connecting the Digha Ghat in Patna and Pahleja Ghat in Sonpur. The Digha Sonpur Bridge is a blessing for the commuters as well as the locals as it successfully connects the northern and southern end of the huge state of Bihar. This 4.5 km long bridge is also known for being the 2nrd longest railway cum Road Bridge in India. The bridge is named after the bygone freedom fighter Jayaprakash Narayan. This massive bridge across the Ganges was opened for function in 2016 and continues to remain one of the most important modes of transportation.