PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate Kosi Rail Mega Bridge today: Here is why it is strategically important for India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating the strategically important Kosi Rail Mega Bridge in Bihar along the India-Nepal border. Due to the current situation, the inauguration will be done through video conference on Friday. The government called the completion of Kosi Rail Mahasetu as a watershed moment in the history of Bihar.  

Notably, a metre gauge link existed between Nirmali and Bhaptiahi (Saraigarh), however, in 1934 the rail link was washed away. Since then no attempt was made to build a railway bridge due to the meandering nature of Kosi river. 

“The dedication of the Kosi Rail Mahasetu is a watershed moment in the history of Bihar and the entire region connecting to the North East. In 1887, a meter gauge link was built in between Nirmali and Bhaptiahi (Saraigarh). During the heavy flood and severe Indo Nepal earthquake in 1934, the rail link was washed away and thereafter due to meandering nature of river Kosi no attempt was made to restore this Rail link for long period,” the government release read. 

Why this bridge is important? 

The 1.9 kilometres long, Kosi Mega Bridge was constructed at a cost of Rs 516 crore. The project was sanctioned in 2003-04. Being around the India-Nepal border, the bridge is of high importance. 

"This bridge is of strategic importance along the India-Nepal border. The project was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic where the migrant labour also participated in its completion," a government release said. 

The prime minister will also inaugurate other rail projects, including two new line projects at Hajipur-Ghoswar-Vaishali and Islampur-Nateshar, Karnauti-Bakhtiyarpur link bypass and 3rd line between Barh-Bakhiyarpur. 

PM Modi will also give the green signal to the Railway Electrification projects of Muzaffarpur – Sitamarhi, Katihar–New Jalpaiguri, Samastipur-Darbhanga-Jaynagar, Samastipur-Khagaria, Bhagalpur-Shivnarayanpur Sections.