Varanasi: Varanasi, the Lok Sabha constituency of PM Modi, is set to get a major infrastructure boost after the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to build a rail-road bridge over the Ganga river with an estimated cost of a whopping Rs 10,000 crore.
A presentation by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw following the meeting on Wednesday showed the design of the bridge and its expected lifespan. Currently, the Malviya Bridge serves as the key bridge across the Ganga Kashi and is 137 years old. The new bridge will be constructed near the Malviya Bridge. It will not only benefit the local people but also millions of travellers heading towards eastern India.
One of the world’s biggest bridges in transport & traffic capacity will be constructed over Ganga Ji
One bridge with
🛤️ 4 – railway lines
🛣️ 6 lane roadTotal Cost: ₹2,642 Cr pic.twitter.com/chsZP9Yb5I
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) October 16, 2024
New bridge will have lifespan of 150 years
Vaishnaw provided detailed information about the double-decker bridge to be built in Kashi. Through graphics, he explained the design, cost, and lifespan of the bridge over the Ganges River. He also added that the bridge is expected to last 150 years.
He said that the bridge will have two levels: the lower level will feature a four-lane railway track, while the upper level will consist of a six-lane highway. This structure will allow both trains and vehicles to operate simultaneously.
Features of new Kashi rail-road bridge
Minister Vaishnaw mentioned that the new bridge will be built near the 137-year-old Malviya Bridge. The lower deck will have four railway lanes, and the upper deck will feature a six-lane highway. The highway construction is estimated to cost Rs 2,643 crore, and the total cost of the bridge will be Rs 9,448 crore.
