Top 10 Longest Bridges in India: Complete List for Competitive Exams

A bridge is a vital engineering structure designed to span physical obstacles like rivers, valleys, or roads, ensuring seamless connectivity and safe passage. Known as the land of rivers, India has masterfully overcome its diverse geographical challenges through the construction of extraordinary bridges. From massive road networks to complex rail-cum-road systems, India’s infrastructure showcases world-class engineering brilliance, featuring some of the most impressive aquatic bridge structures globally.

Longest Bridges in India

Beyond their structural beauty, bridges are fundamental to a nation's economic growth. They stimulate trade and mobility by connecting key regions and improving logistical efficiency. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the longest and most iconic bridges in India—a essential topic for candidates preparing for General Knowledge (GK) and various government competitive exams.

Top 10 Longest Bridges in India

The Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Bridge is the longest bridge in India, spanning the mighty Brahmaputra River in Assam. This 9.15 km engineering marvel was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020. Below is the updated list of the top 10 longest bridges in India.

SNo.	Name	Distance	Opened	Type	Connecting	Place
1	Dhola Sadiya bridge	9.15 Km	2017	Road	Assam and Arunachal Pradesh	Lohit River, Tinsukia, Assam
2	Dibang River Bridge	6.2 Km	2018	Road	Arunachal Pradesh	Dibang River
3	Mahatma Gandhi Setu	5.75 Km	1982	Road	South Patna to Hajipur	Ganga, Patna, Bihar
4	Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL)	5.57 Km	2009	Road	Bandra to Worli (South Mumbai)	Mahim Bay, Mumbai
5	Bogibeel Bridge	4.94 Km	2018	Rail cum road	Dhemaji to Dibrugarh	Brahmaputra River, Assam
6	Vikramshila Setu	4.70 Km	2001	Road	Bhagalpur to Naugachia	Ganga, Bhagalpur, Bihar
7	Vembanad Rail Bridge	4.62 Km	2011	Rail-cum-road	Edappally to Vallarpadam	Vembanad Lake, Kochi, Kerala
8	Digha–Sonpur Bridge	4.55 Km	2016	Rail-cum-Road	Digha, Patna to Sonpur, Saran	Ganga, Patna, Bihar
9	Arrah–Chhapra Bridge	4.35 Km	2017	Road	Arrah to Chhapra	Ganga, Saran, Bihar
10	Godavari Bridge	4.13 Km	2015	Rail cum Road	Kovvur to Rajahmundry	Godavari river, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh

Longest Bridge in India: Dhola Sadiya Bridge: 9.15 Km

The Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, also known as the Bhupen Hazarika Setu, crosses the Brahmaputra and holds the record for India's longest bridge over water. Stretching 9.15 km, it connects Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, significantly boosting regional connectivity. The project reduced the travel distance between the two states by 165 km and cut transit time by approximately 5 hours.

Dibang River Bridge: 6.2 Km, Arunachal Pradesh

The Dibang River Bridge, also referred to as the Sikang Bridge, spans the Dibang River in Arunachal Pradesh. As the second-longest road bridge in India, it measures 6.2 km in length. This structure holds immense strategic importance, facilitating rapid access for the Indian Army toward the China border.

Mahatma Gandhi Setu: 5.6 Km, Bihar

The Mahatma Gandhi Setu, stretching 5,750 meters over the Ganges, connects Patna to Hajipur in Bihar. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1982, it served as India's longest bridge for many years and remains a significant landmark and tourist attraction in the state.

Bandra Worli Sea Link: 5.57 Km, Maharashtra

The Bandra-Worli Sea Link (Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link) is the fourth-longest bridge over water in India. This architectural masterpiece connects Mumbai's Western Suburbs to South Mumbai. It is a cable-stayed bridge featuring pre-stressed concrete steel viaducts. Measuring 5.57 km, it is a crucial segment of the city's Western Freeway project.

Bogibeel Bridge: 4.94 Km, Assam

The Bogibeel Bridge is a dual-purpose road and rail bridge crossing the Brahmaputra River between the Dhemaji and Dibrugarh districts of Assam. At 4.94 km, it is the longest rail-cum-road bridge in India. Engineered for high seismic zones, it is the country's first bridge to utilize fully welded steel-concrete support beams, capable of withstanding earthquakes up to 7 on the Richter scale.

Vikramshila Setu: 4.7 Km, Bihar

Vikramshila Setu is a 4.7 km bridge spanning the Ganges near Bhagalpur, Bihar. Named after the historic Mahavihara of Vikramashila established by King Dharmapala, this two-lane structure ranks as the 5th longest bridge over water in India, connecting Barari Ghat to Naugachia.

Vembanad Rail Bridge: 4.62 Km, Kerala

The Vembanad Rail Bridge connects Edappally and Vallarpadam in Kochi, Kerala. Spanning 4,620 meters, it is the longest railway bridge in India, dedicated exclusively to freight traffic. Located over the picturesque Vembanad Lake—famous for the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race—this bridge is considered one of the most scenic in the region.

Digha Sonpur Bridge: 4.55 Km, Bihar

The Digha-Sonpur Rail-Road Bridge, also known as J.P. Setu, crosses the Ganges to connect Digha Ghat and Pahleja Ghat in Bihar. Inaugurated in 2016, this 4.55 km structure serves as a vital transit link between northern and southern Bihar.

Arrah Chhapra Bridge: 4.35 Km, Bihar

The Arrah-Chhapra Bridge, also known as Veer Kunwar Singh Setu, spans the Ganges River in Bihar. Opened in 2017, this multi-span bridge has significantly enhanced regional connectivity, reducing the travel distance between Arrah and Chhapra from 130 km to just 40 km.

Godavari Bridge: 4.13 Km, Andhra Pradesh

The Godavari Fourth Bridge, also known as the Kovvur–Rajahmundry 4th Bridge, spans the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. Constructed to streamline transport, this dual bridge reduces the road distance between Kolkata and Chennai by over 150 km, connecting West Godavari and East Godavari districts.