Chhapra, Dec. 29: Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam is all set to construct a four-lane bridge across Ganga. The bridge would cover the 4km-long distance between Chhapra national highway number 19 and Ara national highway number 30.

A source said the bridge is scheduled to be completed by July 2014.

The estimated cost of construction of the bridge would be around Rs 676 crore.

An official said the length of the bridge would be around 4000m.

The road distance between Chhapra and Ara would lessen by 85km after the completion of the bridge.

Similarly, the road distances between Chhapra and Aurangabad would lessen by 60km.

Between Chhapra and Buxar the distance would come down by 75km and between Chhhapra and Sasaram it would lessen by 85km.

The bridge would benefit neighbouring Uttar Pradesh too and would boost trade and economy.

While laying the foundation stone of this bridge in July 2010, chief minister Nitish Kumar had expressed his wish to integrate the Bhojpuri belt comprising Saran, Champaran and Ara.

This purpose would also be served after the completion of the bridge.

Anjani Singh, accountant of Somdutta Builders Joint Venture Construction Private Limited, told The Telegraph that this bridge is being constructed from Babura (Ara) to Doriganj (Chhapra).

The work is more on Ara side as it covers 8km while on Chhapra side the work will cover 2km. Mukesh Srivastav another accountant of the company said the work on Ara side has started as the compensation money has been given to the landholders.

But on the Chhapra side the landholders are demanding a much higher price than the government rates.

As a result, no work has been started on the Chhapra side. Mukesh said the stalemate would hopefully be resolved and the construction would be completed within the stipulated time.