The Uttar Pradesh government has greenlit a crucial interim solution for the thousands of commuters stranded by the closure of the historic Ganga bridge in Kanpur. With the construction of a new permanent bridge expected to take over two years, authorities will now build a 550-metre-long pontoon bridge over the river to restore public movement.
Project Details and Public Demand
This decision comes as a direct response to persistent demands from local public representatives. The state administration has sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for the project and assigned the task to the Public Works Department (PWD). The floating bridge will be constructed approximately 100 metres downstream from the old, now-closed Ganga bridge at Shuklaganj in Unnao.
Executive Engineer Anoop Kumar Mishra confirmed that the pontoon structure is designed specifically to facilitate people's movement during the extended construction period of the new bridge. The PWD has already begun preparatory work and initiated the tender process for the project, which is anticipated to be finalized within the next two months.
Logistical Challenges and Historical Context
Building this temporary crossing presents unique logistical hurdles. Engineers plan to transport around 120 individual pontoons from Prayagraj using trailers, which will then be assembled and lowered into the Ganga to form the floating pathway. Officials have noted a significant financial challenge: the cost of procuring and transporting these pontoons from Prayagraj actually exceeds the construction cost of the bridge itself.
The need for this stop-gap measure stems from a severe connectivity crisis. The old bridge, a 150-year-old structure built in 1874 by the Awadh and Rohilkhand Limited Company during British rule, was officially closed on April 5, 2021, after cracks were detected in its piers. While initial plans aimed to repair the historic structure, all hopes were abandoned when a major section of the bridge dramatically collapsed into the Ganga on November 26, 2024.
A Bridge to the Future
Despite the construction of a new Ganga bridge being underway, the public had continued to rely on the old structure until its closure and subsequent collapse, highlighting the critical need for a reliable river crossing. The upcoming pontoon bridge is therefore not just an infrastructure project but an essential public utility. It will serve as a vital lifeline for daily commuters, students, and businesses connecting Kanpur and Unnao, ensuring that economic and social life does not grind to a halt during the multi-year wait for the new permanent bridge. The PWD is currently engaged in final technical preparations and will issue fresh tenders to move the project forward swiftly.
