The Bhagalpur district administration has fixed subsidised fares for ferry and cargo services between Bhagalpur and Naugachia while Vikramshila Setu remains closed for permanent repair and restructuring, providing an alternative route for commuters, traders and freight operators until December 31.
Passengers will pay Rs 35 each, while the fare for a motorcycle has been fixed at Rs 50. Children below 12 years, bicycles and ambulances will travel free under the arrangement. The services are intended to support daily movement between the two sides of the Ganga, particularly for milkmen, banana sellers and vegetable vendors who depend on the bridge corridor.
The administration finalised the rates after considering financial quotations and operating proposals submitted by nine agencies. A district committee reached a consensus with vessel operators on the passenger and vehicle charges. Unlike a conventional ferry system, operators will not directly collect fares from passengers. Instead, the government will make payments based on the number of passengers carried or the carrying capacity of the vessels.
The notified cargo rates vary according to vehicle type and load. Three-wheelers will be charged Rs 150, while loaded tractors will cost Rs 500 and unloaded tractors Rs 250. Pickup vans will be charged Rs 600 when loaded and Rs 300 when unloaded. The rate for four-wheelers is Rs 700, while loaded 10-wheelers will be charged Rs 3,800.
Heavier vehicles will attract higher charges. The rates have been fixed at Rs 4,400 for 12-wheelers, Rs 4,500 for 14-wheelers, Rs 4,800 for 16-wheelers and Rs 5,000 for 18-wheelers. The structure is designed to cover both passenger movement and the movement of goods that would otherwise use Vikramshila Setu.
The payment mechanism divides the approved fare between the operators and the government account. Vessel operators will receive 70% of the fare as reimbursement, while the remaining 30% will be deposited under the relevant government account head. The arrangement places the administration in charge of ensuring that operators are compensated while keeping passenger access organised during the bridge closure.
The closure has created a temporary break in a major road connection between Bhagalpur and Naugachia, increasing the importance of water-based transport for people whose work depends on regular cross-river travel. For small traders and agricultural suppliers, the availability and cost of cargo movement will determine how easily goods can continue reaching markets during the repair period.
Bhagalpur district magistrate Alankrita Pandey said the administration had issued necessary instructions to officials and operators to ensure the alternative ferry and cargo service operates smoothly, safely and in an organised manner. The services will remain in place while Vikramshila Setu undergoes permanent repair and restructuring, with the current fare arrangement fixed until December 31.
