Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Varanasi on October 20. During his visit, he will be laying the foundation stone for 23 projects worth Rs 1300 crore.
The Prime Minister is expected to lay the foundation stone for the “Signature Double-Decker Bridge” as well. This rail-cum-road bridge will run over Ganga in the Varanasi and Chaundali districts. It is said to be the widest railway bridge in the country, having a six-lane road on it.
Earlier this week, the Union Cabinet had approved the rail-cum-road bridge across Ganga. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 2,642 crore and is expected to be completed within four years.
Malviya Bridge over Ganga
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw spoke about the new bridge and also highlighted the importance of the Malviya Bridge in Varanasi, describing it as a crucial railway bridge over the Ganga River that links northern, eastern, and western states. He emphasised the need for its replacement.
Vaishnaw explained that the Malviya Bridge, a 137-year-old rail-cum-road structure with two railway lines and two road lanes, is currently oversaturated at 163 per cent capacity between Varanasi and DDU Junction. A new rail-road bridge, featuring four railway lines and a six-lane highway, will be constructed over the Ganga River at an estimated cost of Rs 2,642 crore.
(With Agency inputs)