PATNA, June 24 -- CM Nitish Kumar on Monday inaugurated the first phase of the much-awaited Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur six-lane cable-stayed bridge on Ganga on Monday, establishing year-round road connectivity between Patna and Raghopur diara in Vaishali district. The ceremonial event was followed by an inspection of the newly constructed 4.57 km stretch from Kacchi Dargah to Raghopur, which forms part of the 9.76 km bridge spanning the river, by the CM and other dignitaries. The inauguration has been hailed as a transformative milestone for Bihar's infrastructure, promising enhanced connectivity, economic growth, and relief from traffic congestion in Patna. The ceremony saw an enthusiastic response from locals in Raghopur, which happens to be the Assembly constituency of former deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. Residents expressed heartfelt gratitude for the bridge, which ends decades of reliance on boats and temporary pontoon bridges for travel to Patna, especially during monsoons. Addressing the gathered crowd, Nitish Kumar reaffirmed his commitment to the region's development, stating, "We are continuously working for your welfare, and will do everything possible to ensure the progress of this area." He highlighted the bridge's significance in providing seamless access to the state capital, fostering agricultural and industrial growth, and improving access to emergency medical services. The Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur bridge, a 19.76 km greenfield project, includes a 9.76 km bridge and 10 km of approach roads, connecting National Highway 30 (NH-30) at Kacchi Dargah in Patna to NH-103 at Bidupur in Vaishali. Constructed by Larsen & Toubro and Daewoo Engineering & Construction under the Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL), the project is funded partly by a Rs.3,000 crore loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The total cost is estimated at Rs.4,988 crore, making it one of Bihar's most ambitious infrastructure initiatives. The bridge, featuring 65 spans of 150 metres each, is designed as India's longest extra-dosed cable bridge, capable of withstanding floods and supporting cargo ship movement along the Ganga. During the inspection, Nitish Kumar emphasised the government's persistent efforts to expedite the project. "We have been closely monitoring the construction and issuing regular directives to ensure timely completion. I am delighted that this dream has now become a reality," he said. He instructed officials to fast-track the remaining work, particularly the Raghopur to Bidupur stretch, expected to be completed by 2025-end. The project's current progress stands at 85%, with the second phase (Hajipur-Mahnar road to Chaksikandar) and third phase (Raghopur to Hajipur-Mahnar road) underway. About 7-8km stretch of the bridge will be constructed at grade level in Raghopur and will further connect to the second portion of the bridge on the other stream of river Ganga between Raghopur and Bidupur. The CM underscored the bridge's broader impact, noting that it will reduce the load on the aging Mahatma Gandhi Setu, provide an alternative route for commuters travelling between north and south Bihar. "This bridge will enable people to travel to various parts of north Bihar without entering Patna, easing urban traffic. It will also benefit residents of Patna's eastern areas," he said. The infrastructure is expected to serve as an eastern bypass around Patna, linking NH-31 and NH-322, and enhance regional trade corridors connecting eastern, northern, and northeastern states with Nepal. The CM later visited Didarganj to review the under-construction link road connecting the Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur bridge to JP Ganga Path, a riverfront expressway project. He noted that JP Ganga Path had been completed up to Didarganj and directed officials to finalise the link road within a month to ensure seamless connectivity for vehicles using both routes. Raghopur is a river island constituency represented by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. Posts on X described the event as a "historic day" for Raghopur, with users highlighting the bridge's role in providing year-round connectivity after 79 years of independence. One post called it "Asia's longest and widest extra-dosed cable bridge," emphasising its engineering marvel and economic potential for the Raghopur diara region....