The Koilwar bridge is one of the oldest infrastructural marvels in India. Constructed in the year 1862, this bridge still remains operational and a landmark to visit. This river bridge is built on the River Sone near Patna, and connects the Bhojpuri city of Arrah with the capital city of Bihar, Patna.
For students preparing for the UPSC Prelims, Koilwar Bridge is a topic to study. This article gives a detailed overview of the structure covering everything from its history to the present condition.
Aspirants preparing for the upcoming civil services exam can also get the List of Bridges in India at the linked article.
Koilwar Bridge [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here
Also, refer to the UPSC Syllabus related links given in the table below:
| Major Dams in India | Longest rivers of the World |
| Eco Bridges In India | Chenab Bridge – World’s Highest Rail Bridge |
| Setu Bharatam Project | KOSI Rail Maha Setu |
History of the Koilwar Bridge
The British ruled India for nearly 200 years. During their reign, they completed a good number of infrastructural and architectural projects in the country. Koilwar bridge is an example of one such project that tops the list of examples of architectural marvels of India.
As a part of your IAS exam preparation, you will come across the fact that this bridge was initially the longest in the Indian subcontinent, with its staggering reach of 5,280 feet. It was originally known as the Sone bridge, when it first opened.
However, the construction of the bridge went through troubles and resistance. The Revolt of 1857 disrupted the construction to a great extent. Building the bridge was a British endeavour. So, when the political spectrum of the country was distorted, the work in progress was also halted. Finally, when the bridge was completed, there was heightened anxiety and political unrest across the country.
The Designer of the Koilwar Bridge
Koilwar Bridge has the name of an eminent civil engineer of his time attached to it. George Turnbull, famously known as the “first railway engineer of India”, designed the bridge. He was responsible for many engineering marvels in the country. His works include the construction of the first Indian railway line extending from Calcutta to Benares. Howrah railway station, the highest train-handling capacity railway terminus in the country, is also a contribution of Turnbull.
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The Construction of the Koilwar Bridge
For any river bridge, it is crucial for it to withstand the heavy currents and large tides of the river. The river Sone, 784 km in length, has both. So, the construction of the bridge had to be strong. But the architecture of the bridge is such that it is light enough to not erode the soft soil underneath on the river bed.
The biggest challenge for the construction of the bridge was the choice of materials. It had to be something that could both be resistant to bending even upon heavy use, and be able to withstand massive amounts of load. Therefore, the designer, George Turnbull, proposed the use of a steel lattice girder in its construction. This piece of information will surely be useful for your UPSC Exam preparation.
New Koilwar Bridge
Parallel to the Koilwar bridge of 1862, now runs another bridge. This is the Vashishtha Narayan Setu, which opened in December 2020. This bridge runs parallel to the old one, and it also connects Arrah to Patna. The location of this new bridge is 500 metres north of the old one. It is crucial to learn for the current affairs quiz that this new bridge is a 6-lane road bridge and has 74 spans.
The new Koilwar bridge was designed as the administrative authorities noticed the rise in traffic on the existing 19th-century bridge. The older one was a 2-lane bridge and was not strong enough to sustain the increasing pressure. Due to this, traffic problems had been increasing. Therefore, to facilitate smoother movement of vehicles and preserve the old bridge, the new one was built with 6 lanes.
The Koilwar bridge is, therefore, a symbol of engineering excellence and has proven to be highly efficient in its usability for over 150 years. This bridge is a testament to the time and the history this country has gone through.
For any further exam updates, study material or preparation tips, candidates can turn to BYJU’S for assistance.
Koilwar Bridge [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here
Other related links for UPSC preparation are as follows:
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