Tracing the History of Koilwar Bridge

The British rule in India spanning nearly two centuries, witnessed the completion of several infrastructural and architectural projects. One such marvel is the Koilwar Bridge, a testament to the engineering prowess of that era.

As you delve into your IAS exam preparation, you will find that this bridge, originally known as the Sone bridge, was the longest in the Indian subcontinent at the time of its completion, spanning a staggering 5,280 feet.

However, the construction of the bridge was not a smooth journey. The Revolt of 1857 posed significant challenges, causing major disruptions. The political unrest that followed further delayed the bridge's completion, adding to the existing anxieties.

The Mastermind Behind the Koilwar Bridge

The credit for the design of the Koilwar Bridge goes to George Turnbull, an eminent civil engineer of his time, often referred to as the “first railway engineer of India”. His notable works include the construction of the first Indian railway line extending from Calcutta to Benares and the Howrah railway station, which is the highest train-handling capacity railway terminus in the country.

The Construction of the Koilwar Bridge

A river bridge must be robust enough to withstand the heavy currents and large tides of the river. With a length of 784 km, the River Sone is no exception. Thus, the bridge's construction required a balance between strength and lightness to prevent erosion of the soft soil on the river bed.

The choice of construction materials posed the biggest challenge. The material needed to be resilient, capable of withstanding heavy usage and loads. Therefore, George Turnbull proposed the use of a steel lattice girder in its construction, a fact that could be beneficial for your UPSC Exam preparation.

The New Koilwar Bridge

A new bridge, the Vashishtha Narayan Setu, now runs parallel to the historic Koilwar bridge. Inaugurated in December 2020, this bridge also connects Arrah to Patna, situated 500 metres north of the old bridge. It is important to note for the current affairs quiz that this new bridge is a 6-lane road bridge with 74 spans.

The construction of the new Koilwar bridge was necessitated by the increasing traffic on the existing 19th-century bridge. The older bridge, with 2 lanes, was unable to sustain the mounting pressure, leading to traffic congestion. Thus, to ensure smoother vehicular movement and to preserve the old bridge, the new 6-lane bridge was erected.

The Koilwar bridge is not just a functional structure, but a symbol of engineering excellence that has stood the test of time for over 150 years. It is a testament to the historical and infrastructural journey of the country.

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