A new rail-road bridge over Ganga in Banaras soon, PM Modi approves the project

Varanasi| The Signature Bridge to be built in Banaras will become the new identity of Kashi. Rail-cum-road bridge will be constructed over Ganges river in Varanasi. It’s estimated to cost about Rs 2,642 crore. Construction of this new bridge will give impetus to the development of Kashi. Also, this bridge will increase connectivity to West Bengal, facilitating both travel and transportation. Construction of Signature Bridge will lead to significant economic and infrastructural advancement in Varanasi, improving quality of life for those living in nearby areas. Locals say bridge will prove Kashi’s new signature.

Varanasi-based Malviya bridge is one of the most important railway bridges over river Ganga, connecting northern, eastern and western states. Existing Malviya Bridge is 137 years old. Rail-cum-road bridge on this bridge (2 line rail and 2 line road) is old. The route between Varanasi and DDU is over saturate. This bridge is old and weak and movement of heavy vehicles is prohibited. So new bridge needs to be built. New railroad bridge with 4 railway lines and 6 lane highway bridge will be built on river Ganga as such. This will save about 8 crore liters of diesel imports per year (about Rs 638 crore per year).

Signature bridge will be built next to Malviya bridge. DPR’s ready for the same. It’ll be two decks, with 4 railway lines on the bottom deck and a 6-lane highway in the top deck. It’ll be one of the world’s big bridges in transport capacity. It’s too big a corridor connecting East and North, East and West. Preparing this bridge will cost about Rs 2,642 crore. It’ll be an iconic bridge, presenting Varanasi to the world differently.

Engineers designed Signature Bridge for 150 years. According to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, the foundation that will take place during the construction of the bridge will be 120 feet deep from the river surface. Pillar and then bridge will be constructed over it. Passenger trains will run 90 to 112km after 4-lane railway track laid. It’ll be over a kilometer long. Currently operating trains at about 40km on railway track of existing Malviya bridge. Freight trains are also slow.

Shyamlal Singh says that at present the movement of heavy load from Malviya bridge has been stopped. After the Signature Bridge is built, everything from commercial, private vehicles to high load vehicles will come. Multi model stations being built in railways. Old Malviya Bridge will be saved like a museum, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also given advice regarding this. All sites come from Sri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Plus the beauty of the Ganges ghats will be visible from the bridge.