The longest bridges in India are a high-frequency topic in competitive exam general knowledge, combining infrastructure awareness with geography.
The Bhupen Hazarika Setu in Assam, stretching 9.15 kilometres over the Lohit River, is currently India’s longest bridge over a river. Questions on bridge names, lengths, states, rivers, and inauguration years appear regularly in UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, Banking, Railways, and State PSC exams. This page gives you a complete ranked list of India’s longest bridges — road, rail, and combined — with state, river, year, and exam-ready facts all in one place.
⚡ Quick Facts
- Bhupen Hazarika Setu (9.15 km, Assam) — longest bridge over a river in India; over the Lohit River; inaugurated May 26, 2017 by PM Modi.
- Atal Setu / Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (21.8 km) — longest bridge in India overall; longest sea bridge; connects Mumbai to Navi Mumbai; January 12, 2024.
- Bogibeel Bridge (4.94 km, Assam) — longest rail-cum-road bridge; over Brahmaputra; inaugurated December 25, 2018.
- Chenab Bridge, J&K — world’s highest railway bridge arch; 359 m above river — taller than the Eiffel Tower (330 m); completed 2024.
- Pamban Bridge (1914, Tamil Nadu) — India’s first sea bridge; connects mainland to Rameswaram island across Palk Strait.
Questions often ask the “longest bridge in India” without specifying the category. The answer differs by type: Atal Setu (21.8 km) is longest overall (sea bridge); Bhupen Hazarika Setu (9.15 km) is longest over a river; Bogibeel (4.94 km) is longest rail-cum-road. Also note: the Mahatma Gandhi Setu was India’s longest bridge for ~30 years (1982–2017) but is no longer the record holder. Always check whether a question means river bridge, sea bridge, or any bridge.
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🌉 Longest Bridges in India — Complete List
| # ↕ | Bridge ↕ | Length (km) ↕ | State ↕ | River / Water Body | Type | Year | Key Exam Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1* | Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link) | 21.80 | Maharashtra | Thane Creek / Arabian Sea | Road (Sea) | 2024 | Longest bridge in India overall & longest sea bridge; Mumbai–Navi Mumbai |
| 2 | Bhupen Hazarika Setu (Dhola–Sadiya) | 9.15 | Assam | Lohit River | Road | 2017 | Longest river bridge in India; named after singer-filmmaker Bhupen Hazarika |
| 3 | Mahatma Gandhi Setu | 5.75 | Bihar | Ganga River | Road | 1982 | Was India’s longest bridge for ~30 years; Patna to Hajipur |
| 4 | Bandra–Worli Sea Link (Rajiv Gandhi Setu) | 5.57 | Maharashtra | Arabian Sea | Road (Cable-stayed) | 2009 | First cable-stayed bridge in India over sea; iconic Mumbai landmark |
| 5 | Bogibeel Bridge | 4.94 | Assam | Brahmaputra River | Rail-cum-Road | 2018 | Longest rail-cum-road bridge; connects Dibrugarh to Dhemaji |
| 6 | Vikramshila Setu | 4.70 | Bihar | Ganga River | Road | 2001 | Connects Bhagalpur to Naugachia; named after ancient Vikramshila university |
| 7 | Vembanad Rail Bridge | 4.62 | Kerala | Vembanad Lake | Rail | 2010 | Longest rail bridge in India over a lake; Shoranur–Ernakulam rail line |
| 8 | Digha–Sonpur Bridge (Jai Prakash Setu) | 4.55 | Bihar | Ganga River | Rail-cum-Road | 2016 | Connects Patna to Sonepur; also called Jai Prakash Setu |
| 9 | Munger Ganga Bridge (Shri Krishna Setu) | 3.75 | Bihar | Ganga River | Rail-cum-Road | 2016 | Connects Munger to Jamalpur; rail-cum-road |
| 10 | Kolia Bhomora Setu | 3.02 | Assam | Brahmaputra River | Road | 1987 | Connects Tezpur to Nagaon across Brahmaputra |
| 11 | Godavari Arch Bridge | 2.73 | Andhra Pradesh | Godavari River | Rail-cum-Road | 1997 | Longest arch bridge in India at time of opening |
| 12 | Pamban Bridge | 2.34 | Tamil Nadu | Palk Strait | Rail | 1914 | India’s first sea bridge; connects mainland to Rameswaram; movable section |
| 13 | Anna Indira Gandhi Road Bridge | 2.28 | Tamil Nadu | Pamban Channel | Road | 1988 | Road bridge to Rameswaram; parallel to old Pamban rail bridge |
| 14 | Naranarayan Setu | 2.28 | Assam | Brahmaputra River | Rail-cum-Road | 1998 | Connects Jogighopa to Bongaigaon across Brahmaputra |
| 15 | New Pamban Bridge | 2.08 | Tamil Nadu | Palk Strait | Rail | 2024 | India’s first vertical lift sea bridge; replaces 110-year-old structure |
| 16 | Saraighat Rail Bridge | 1.49 | Assam | Brahmaputra River | Rail | 1962 | First rail bridge over Brahmaputra; at Guwahati |
| 17 | Saraighat Road Bridge | 1.49 | Assam | Brahmaputra River | Road | 1967 | First road bridge over Brahmaputra; at Guwahati |
| 18 | Zuari Bridge | 0.89 | Goa | Zuari River | Road | 1986 | Longest bridge in Goa |
| 19 | Vidyasagar Setu (2nd Hooghly Bridge) | 0.82 | West Bengal | Hooghly River | Road (Cable-stayed) | 1992 | Longest cable-stayed bridge in India at time of opening |
| 20 | Signature Bridge | 0.68 | Delhi | Yamuna River | Road (Asymmetric cable-stayed) | 2018 | Delhi’s first asymmetric cable-stayed bridge; New Delhi landmark |
| 21 | Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu) | 0.71 | West Bengal | Hooghly River | Road (Cantilever) | 1943 | Iconic; one of the busiest cantilever bridges in the world |
| 22 | Chenab Bridge (Arch) | 0.48 (359 m high) | J&K | Chenab River | Rail | 2024 | World’s highest rail bridge arch; 359 m above river — higher than Eiffel Tower |
| 23 | Anji Khad Bridge | 0.47 | J&K | Anji River | Rail (Cable-stayed) | 2024 | India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge; on USBRL project |
| 24 | Wular Lake Bridge | 0.38 | J&K | Wular Lake | Road | — | On Wular Lake — largest freshwater lake in India |
| — | Kalia Bhomora Setu (New) | 3.02 | Assam | Brahmaputra River | Road | 1987 | One of several Brahmaputra bridges linking NH routes in Assam |
| Type | Bridge Name | Length | State | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longest Road Bridge (Overall) | Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link) | 21.80 km | Maharashtra | Longest sea bridge in India; opened Jan 2024 |
| Longest River Bridge | Bhupen Hazarika Setu | 9.15 km | Assam | Over Lohit River; longest conventional river bridge |
| Longest Rail-cum-Road Bridge | Bogibeel Bridge | 4.94 km | Assam | Over Brahmaputra; opened Dec 25, 2018 |
| Longest Rail Bridge (Lake) | Vembanad Rail Bridge | 4.62 km | Kerala | Over Vembanad Lake; Shoranur–Ernakulam rail line |
| Longest Cable-stayed Bridge | Vidyasagar Setu (2nd Hooghly) | 0.82 km | West Bengal | Longest cable-stayed at opening in 1992 |
| Longest Sea Bridge | Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link) | 21.80 km | Maharashtra | Connects Mumbai to Navi Mumbai |
| World’s Highest Rail Bridge | Chenab Bridge | 0.48 km (359 m high) | J&K | Higher than Eiffel Tower; on Chenab River gorge |
| India’s First Sea Bridge | Pamban Bridge | 2.34 km | Tamil Nadu | Built 1914; connects Rameswaram to mainland |
| First Cable-stayed Rail Bridge | Anji Khad Bridge | 0.47 km | J&K | On USBRL project; opened 2024 |
| State | Notable Long Bridge | River / Water Body | Length (km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Atal Setu (Trans Harbour Link) | Thane Creek / Arabian Sea | 21.80 |
| Assam | Bhupen Hazarika Setu | Lohit River | 9.15 |
| Bihar | Mahatma Gandhi Setu | Ganga River | 5.75 |
| Kerala | Vembanad Rail Bridge | Vembanad Lake | 4.62 |
| Tamil Nadu | Pamban Bridge | Palk Strait | 2.34 |
| Andhra Pradesh | Godavari Arch Bridge | Godavari River | 2.73 |
| West Bengal | Vidyasagar Setu | Hooghly River | 0.82 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Chenab Bridge | Chenab River | 0.48 (359 m high) |
| Delhi | Signature Bridge | Yamuna River | 0.68 |
| Goa | Zuari Bridge | Zuari River | 0.89 |
| Year | Bridge | State | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Bhupen Hazarika Setu | Assam | Became India’s longest river bridge; PM Modi inaugurated May 26, 2017 |
| 2018 | Bogibeel Bridge | Assam | Longest rail-cum-road bridge; PM Modi inaugurated December 25, 2018 (Vajpayee birth anniversary) |
| 2018 | Signature Bridge | Delhi | Delhi’s first asymmetric cable-stayed bridge over Yamuna |
| 2024 | Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link) | Maharashtra | India’s longest sea bridge (21.8 km); PM Modi inaugurated January 12, 2024 |
| 2024 | New Pamban Bridge | Tamil Nadu | India’s first vertical lift sea bridge; replaces 110-year-old structure |
| 2024 | Chenab Bridge | J&K | World’s highest railway bridge arch (359 m); part of USBRL Kashmir connectivity project |
| 2024 | Anji Khad Bridge | J&K | India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge; on Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link |
⚖️ Compare Two Bridges
📝 Key Notes & Memory Tips
Atal Setu (21.8 km, Maharashtra, 2024) is India’s longest bridge overall — it is a sea bridge across Thane Creek connecting Mumbai to Navi Mumbai. Bhupen Hazarika Setu (9.15 km, Assam, 2017) is India’s longest bridge over a river (Lohit River). If a question says “longest bridge in India” without qualification, Atal Setu is the current answer. If it specifies “river bridge,” the answer is Bhupen Hazarika Setu.
Bogibeel Bridge (4.94 km, Assam) is India’s longest rail-cum-road bridge, crossing the Brahmaputra River and connecting Dibrugarh to Dhemaji. It was inaugurated by PM Modi on December 25, 2018 — the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had laid its foundation stone. It has a double-decker design: road deck above, rail deck below.
The Chenab Bridge in J&K is the world’s highest railway bridge, standing 359 metres above the Chenab River — taller than the Eiffel Tower (330 m). It is a steel arch bridge on the USBRL (Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link) project, completed in 2024. Designed to withstand earthquakes and blasts given its strategic location.
Pamban Bridge (1914, Tamil Nadu) was India’s first sea bridge, connecting Rameswaram island (Pamban Island) to the mainland across the Palk Strait. It has a movable bascule section to allow ships to pass. The New Pamban Bridge (2024) is India’s first vertical lift sea bridge and is built parallel to the original 110-year-old structure.
The Mahatma Gandhi Setu (5.75 km, Bihar, 1982) held the record of India’s longest bridge for nearly 30 years until surpassed by newer bridges. It crosses the Ganga connecting Patna to Hajipur and is currently undergoing major repairs. It remains the longest single-span road bridge over the Ganga.
“Bhupen Makes Victories”
→ Bhupen Hazarika Setu (9.15 km, Assam) · Mahatma Gandhi Setu (5.75 km, Bihar) · Vikramshila Setu (4.70 km, Bihar)
“Bogibeel = Brahmaputra + Both (Rail & Road) + Born on Dec 25”
→ Over Brahmaputra | Rail-cum-Road | Inaugurated December 25, 2018
🃏 Flashcards
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🧩 Practice Quiz
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The Bhupen Hazarika Setu (Dhola\u2013Sadiya Bridge) in Assam, at 9.15 km over the Lohit River, is the longest bridge over a river in India. It was inaugurated by PM Modi on May 26, 2017. The Atal Setu (21.8 km) is longer overall but is a sea bridge, not a river bridge.
Bogibeel Bridge (4.94 km) in Assam is India\u2019s longest rail-cum-road bridge, crossing the Brahmaputra River. It connects Dibrugarh to Dhemaji and was inaugurated by PM Modi on December 25, 2018 \u2014 the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The Chenab Bridge in J&K is the world\u2019s highest railway bridge, standing 359 metres above the Chenab River \u2014 taller than the Eiffel Tower (330 m). It is part of the Udhampur\u2013Srinagar\u2013Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project and was completed in 2024.
Pamban Bridge (built 1914) connects Mandapam on the Indian mainland to Rameswaram on Pamban Island across the Palk Strait. It was India\u2019s first sea bridge and has a movable bascule section to allow ships to pass. The New Pamban Bridge (2024) is built parallel to it.
Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link), at 21.8 km, is India\u2019s longest sea bridge connecting Mumbai to Navi Mumbai across Thane Creek. It was inaugurated by PM Modi on January 12, 2024, reducing travel time between the two cities from over an hour to approximately 20 minutes.
\u2705 Key Takeaways
\u2753 Frequently Asked Questions
The answer depends on the category. The Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link) at 21.8 km is the longest bridge overall in India, opened in January 2024. However, the Bhupen Hazarika Setu (9.15 km, Assam) is the longest bridge over a river. For competitive exams, if the question says \u201clongest bridge in India\u201d without qualification, Atal Setu is the current answer; if it says \u201clongest river bridge,\u201d the answer is Bhupen Hazarika Setu.
Bogibeel Bridge in Assam is India\u2019s longest rail-cum-road bridge at 4.94 km, crossing the Brahmaputra River and connecting Dibrugarh to Dhemaji. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25, 2018 \u2014 the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had laid the foundation stone. It has a double-decker design with a road deck above and a rail deck below.
The Chenab Bridge is the world\u2019s highest railway bridge, standing 359 metres above the Chenab River \u2014 taller than the Eiffel Tower (330 m). It is a steel arch bridge that is part of the Udhampur\u2013Srinagar\u2013Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a major strategic project connecting Kashmir to the national rail network. It was completed in 2024 and is designed to withstand earthquakes and blasts, given its location in a sensitive region.
Bridges are tested in UPSC Prelims (Current Affairs + Infrastructure), SSC CGL, Bank PO, and Railway exams because they combine geography (which river, which state), history (year built, who inaugurated), and current affairs (new projects). Key patterns include: longest river bridge (Bhupen Hazarika Setu), longest sea bridge (Atal Setu), longest rail-cum-road bridge (Bogibeel), world\u2019s highest rail bridge (Chenab), and India\u2019s first sea bridge (Pamban). Recent inaugurations by PM Modi are especially high-yield for Banking and SSC exams.
