Vikramshila Setu Rolls Out Free Transport Until Its Grand Opening on November 30

When the first stretch of Vikramshila Setu finally opened its arms to traffic, the state government decided to sweeten the deal for residents of Bhagalpur and surrounding districts. For a little while longer – until the official ceremony on November 30 – anyone crossing the bridge can hop on a free vehicle, be it a bus, mini‑van or shared auto.

It’s not just a marketing gimmick. The idea is to ease the transition for daily commuters who have long navigated narrow, congested routes along the Ganges. “We wanted to give people a taste of what a fully operational bridge can do for their lives,” said a senior transport official, chuckling that the free rides are “a small thank‑you for the patience everyone showed during construction.”

In practice, the scheme works like this: designated stops appear at both ends of the bridge, where a fleet of government‑run buses circles every 15‑20 minutes. The vehicles are clearly marked, and drivers are instructed to let passengers board without demanding any fare. For those who prefer smaller rides, shared autos are also roving the corridor, with drivers accepting a token amount that the state reimburses later.

Locals have taken to the offer with mixed feelings. Some families, especially those juggling work and school schedules, find the free service a genuine lifesaver. “My kids used to spend an hour just trying to cross the river,” said Meena Devi, a mother of two from Naugachia. “Now they’re here in ten minutes, and we didn’t have to pay anything.” Others, however, remain skeptical, worrying that the free rides might mask longer‑term issues like maintenance costs or traffic bottlenecks once tolls kick in after the grand opening.

Regardless of the debate, the free‑transport window creates a rare chance for people to test‑drive the bridge’s capacity. Traffic engineers are collecting data on vehicle flow, peak‑hour usage, and even pedestrian patterns. “These real‑world numbers will help us fine‑tune the bridge’s operations once we start charging,” the official added.

So, until the ribbon‑cutting ceremony on November 30, the message is simple: hop on, enjoy the ride, and get a glimpse of a smoother commute across the Ganges. After that, the bridge will likely transition to a regular toll system, but for now, the journey is on the house.