Patna: The construction of the Patna–Sasaram four-lane highway has encountered a significant setback after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) cancelled the contract awarded to Oman’s Galfar Engineering and Contracting. The firm failed to secure a no-objection certificate from Oman’s Ministry of Home Affairs, a mandatory clearance before work could begin.
Officials said the company has reapplied for approval and requested ten more days for the Omani authorities to issue the necessary clearance. If it fails to obtain it within that period, the NHAI will float a fresh tender.
The project, estimated to cost Rs 3,712.40 crore, was expected to be completed by 2028. However, the cancellation of the tender means the timeline is now unlikely to be met. The NHAI is aiming to complete the retendering process by next month to minimise further delays.
You may be interested in this article:
Patna–Sasaram Four-Lane Highway to Be Built by Oman’s Gulfar Engineering
The planned 120km access-controlled national highway will connect Patna with Sasaram via Bhojpur. Once completed, it is expected to cut travel time between Patna and Sasaram from four hours to two. The project will be built in two phases: a 46km stretch from Patna to Bhojpur and a 74km stretch from Arrah to Sasaram. It is also expected to improve access to Arwal district and enhance connectivity from Patna to the GT Road, creating a faster route to Varanasi and beyond.
A senior NHAI official confirmed the setback, saying work could not proceed without clearance for the Omani contractor. “The tender is cancelled for now. If the required approval is not received within ten days, a new tender will be issued,” he said.
Officials added that prolonged delays may push up the overall cost of the highway, which is considered a key infrastructure project for the region.
