Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi, seeking expedited approval for major road and expressway projects in the state.
The meeting focused on four major greenfield and road infrastructure projects covering approximately 330km. According to Choudhary, these projects have received clearance from the central Public-Private Partnership Appraisal Committee and are awaiting final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).
The four projects have a combined estimated cost of Rs 49,751 crore. Choudhary requested Gadkari to facilitate their early approval.
Four Major Projects Await Cabinet Approval
The projects include a two-lane bridge over the Gandak river on NH-727AA, along with connecting roads. Estimated to cost Rs 1,976.77 crore, the project will connect Manuapul in Bettiah, West Champaran, with Tiwaripatti in Sevrahi, Uttar Pradesh.
Another major proposal is the Patna-Purnia four-lane greenfield expressway, estimated to cost Rs 31,987.11 crore.
The state also sought approval for a six-lane elevated road and service roads along the Saristabad-Didarganj and Anisabad-Didarganj sections. The project has an estimated cost of Rs 8,455.86 crore.
The fourth project is the six-lane Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata greenfield highway. Its section from Konki village to Lerua village is estimated to cost Rs 7,331.40 crore.
Push For Gorakhpur-Siliguri And Raxaul-Haldia Expressways
Choudhary also urged the Centre to formally notify the portion of the Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway passing through Bihar as a National Expressway at the earliest.
He said the Bihar government was supporting the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in pre-construction activities, while land acquisition was progressing in the districts concerned.
According to Choudhary, the expressway would involve the construction of new bridges over rivers in North Bihar and could significantly improve road connectivity across the state.
The Raxaul-Haldia Expressway was another key issue raised during the meeting. Choudhary said land acquisition had begun following approval of the revised route.
Highlighting the project’s importance for trade with Nepal and direct connectivity between Bihar and Haldia port, he sought early notification and formal approval.
Muzaffarpur-Barauni Highway Widening Also Discussed
The widening of the Muzaffarpur-Barauni section of National Highway 122 into a four-lane road was also discussed. Choudhary urged Gadkari to expedite the work.
He said the Bihar government’s Road Construction Department had been entrusted with the maintenance and development of approximately 2,329km of national highways in the state.
The department has also prepared and submitted Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to the Centre for six national highway projects covering 323km, with a combined estimated cost of Rs 13,015 crore.
These proposals include the approach road to the Vikramshila Bridge and the four-laning of the Mashrakh-Chakiya-Bhithamore stretch.
Meets Rajnath Singh, Dharmendra Pradhan In Delhi
During his visit to the national capital, Choudhary also met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Their discussion focused on security-related issues concerning Bihar’s border districts.
He also met former Union Minister and Member of Parliament Dharmendra Pradhan.
Choudhary expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gadkari for their continued support for road and infrastructure development in Bihar.
