India’s extensive bridge network is transitioning towards sustainable and technology-driven construction. From vertical lift rail bridges to sensor equipped highway flyovers, these structures have been instrumental in enhancing connectivity, particularly in regions that are geographically challenging to access.
The sector is steadily advancing with policy support, the adoption of global best practices and increasing private sector involvement. Modern bridge construction is no longer limited to conventional methods. Smart materials are being introduced, the potential of modular construction is being explored and digital design tools are being deployed. Moreover, real-time safety systems are gaining prominence.
Mapping on-ground project activity
Bridge construction in India has picked up pace, with several major projects being opened up for public use, regular project announcements and an active bidding environment. To the activity into perspective, according to projects tracked by India Infrastructure Research, over 1,800 km of bridges, flyovers and elevated roads, involving an estimated investment of Rs 2,716 billion, are at various stages of implementation. In terms of state-level progress, Maharashtra is in the lead, with a project pipeline worth Rs 1,235 billion, followed by Bihar with Rs 452 billion worth of bridge construction opportunities.
Of late, many iconic bridges have been inaugurated. In May 2025, the Maharashtra government launched a 385 metre six-lane cable stayed bridge on Reay Road featuring a central pylon and stay cables. A 90 metre section of the Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge, linking C.D. Barfiwala Road to N.S. Phadke Road, was also inaugurated in the state.
Further, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has laid the groundwork for a 3.3 km long additional three-lane bridge over the River Ganga (Buxar-Bharauli connectivity on NH-922) to be developed in hybrid annuity mode. In another development, the Uttar Pradesh Bridge Corporation (UPBC) has started a survey for the Hindon River Four Lane Bridge. Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has laid the foundation stone for a 950 metre four-lane Sankar Vilas road over bridge (ROB). It estimated to cost Rs 1.3 billion and is part of the CRIF Setu Bandhan Scheme.
Other recently tendered projects include the Jampore-Devka Seafront Bridge in Daman, the Satluj River Bridge (Bhajwani) in Himachal Pradesh, the Mahanadi High Level Bridge Project (Narsinghpur-Baliput Road) in Odisha, along with multiple ROBs in Bihar.
Earlier, in April 2025, the central government inaugurated the 2.07 km New Pamban Railway Bridge, replacing the existing structure on the Mandapam Pamban rail line, at a cost of Rs 7 billion. This vertical lift bridge is designed to improve operational efficiency and navigation clearance.
Sustainable construction gains momentum
In line with global construction trends, bridge construction in India is shifting towards a sustainable approach, incorporating more eco-friendly and durable materials. The transition is being supported by a strong policy framework that facilitates on-ground implementation. The Ministry of Roads Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is promoting the use of innovative materials and technologies in bridge construction, such as advanced reinforcement systems, high performance concrete, geosynthetics and proprietary technologies like ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) and modular components. For instance, UHPFRC was used in the construction of a bridge over the Sole river at 42.05 km on the Latur-Nilanga-Aurad stretch of NH-752, significantly enhancing the durability and service life of the bridge.
Recycled materials are also gaining traction. In the Mumbai-Nagpur Super Communication Expressway (Samruddhi Expressway), featuring 33 major bridges, 274 minor bridges, 65 flyovers and six tunnels, UHPFRC along with fly ash and blast furnace slag was used. During the construction of the Bandra-Worli sea link bridge, fly ash was mixed with concrete to make the structure durable and eco-friendly. Fly ash material is now widely used as the prime material in many cement-based products such as poured concrete, concrete blocks and bricks. Also, recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) were used in the Versova Bandra Sea Link’s Temporary Access Bridge, where 3,500 precast slabs and 500 tub components incorporated 10 per cent RCAs sourced from recycled concrete debris.
The sector has also witnessed significant advancements in geosynthetics. In the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link project, a flexible hybrid reinforced soil structure was created for rail embankments and bridge abutments. Indian Railways adopted a hybrid reinforced soil structure for the first time to construct rail embankments and bridge abutments at significant heights. This method proved to be more sustainable and cost effective than conventional solutions.
Evolving bridge designs
Bridge construction methods and technologies are constantly evolving, with a growing trend toward mechanised construction, increased use of digital design tools and sustainability. Bridge designs have advanced significantly from traditional girder bridges to cable stayed, cable suspension and extra dosed bridges. For instance, the Sudarshan Setu, connecting the Okha mainland and Beyt Dwarka island, is the longest cable stayed bridge in the country with a length of around 2.32 km. It is followed by the Eight Lane New Zuari Bridge connecting North and South Goa. Its design minimises land use, thereby reducing its ecological footprint and preserving the surrounding urban landscape.
Extradosed bridge, a hybrid between cable stayed and prestressed box girder bridges, are also gaining traction. Key upcoming projects include a two-lane 386 metre span extradosed bridge over river Siang in Arunachal Pradesh and a six-lane high-level extradosed cable bridge on the Ganga River in Bihar, located 180 metres upstream of the Digha-Sonepur Railcum-Road Bridge.
Overall, bridge designs are no longer uniform structures. They involve customised hybrid engineering approaches, tailored to meet specific site conditions.
Safety and technology
Bridge failures and collapses have made safety a critical priority. In March 2024, MoRTH mandated the installation of sensors on bridges, such as devices to detect corrosion for real-time health monitoring. Further, in March 2025, MoRTH announced plans to introduce a software for data analysis to be developed by the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing to monitor and assess bridge health using data collected from sensors and data loggers.
Digital tools such as building information modelling (BIM) are playing a key role in bridge design. From the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link to the Bandra Versova Sea Link, BIM is being used for simulation, clash detection and quantity estimation. Beyond design, BIM can potentially resolve persistent issues such as cost overruns and bill of quantity mismatches, provided its outputs are integrated with procurement and auditing frameworks.
While BIM adoption has traditionally been stronger in metro projects, its role in bridge construction is gradually expanding. Despite challenges such as limited contractor expertise and the absence of specific standards, the shift signals a broader move toward data rich, digitally coordinated infrastructure that is easier to construct, maintain and upgrade over time.
In sum
India’s ageing bridge infrastructure presents not just a challenge but also an opportunity. With a significant number of bridge projects reaching the end of their service life, there is an immediate requirement for smarter and efficient bridge deconstruction and replacement, especially in densely populated suburban areas. This is expected to create a range of opportunities.
A key concern facing the sector is the premature deterioration and failure of concrete structures due to poor selection of appropriate repair material and ineffective repair methodology at the site level. Going forward, emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence-powered monitoring tools and sensor-based diagnostics can play a significant role in detecting early signs of wear, and enabling timely and targeted interventions. While sustainability and technology adoption has so far been limited to high-value or landmark projects, increased contractor exposure to digital tools can drive adoption across the sector.
Another bottleneck in infrastructure projects is land acquisition. However, since bridges are elevated structures, they require minimal land acquisition, making implementation relatively easier. Smarter girder and pier designs can further improve the feasibility and efficiency of bridge projects.
Given the pace of progress, India’s bridge construction sector is steadily evolving, with a focus on long-term durability, sustainability and technological innovation. Moreover, the use of high-performance materials, recycled components, innovative construction methods and real-time safety monitoring systems is transforming bridge planning and construction. With projects worth more than Rs 1,056 billion spanning over 711 km currently in the announced stage, the bridge sector offers abundant opportunities for contractors, developers, consultants, and material and technology providers.
Jayati Arora
