Patna: The Bihar government has stepped up efforts to connect the state’s major highways and expressways with key cities and tourist destinations. A proposal has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for the construction of spur roads linking major tourism hubs with two key expressway projects.
Under the proposal, Dobhi in Gaya district and Rajgir in Nalanda district would be connected to the Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway through branch roads. The state has also proposed connecting Rajgir and Bodh Gaya with the Amas-Darbhanga Expressway.
Officials said the initiative is aimed at improving connectivity to Bihar’s historical, religious and tourist destinations. Once developed, the proposed spur roads would allow travellers using the expressways to reach major tourism centres more easily.
Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway
The Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway is being developed as a major high-speed corridor connecting Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Around 170 km of the expressway falls in Bihar, passing through Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad and Gaya districts.
The Bihar section is being constructed in seven packages. The proposed connections to Dobhi and Rajgir are expected to provide these areas with improved access to the high-speed corridor and facilitate faster movement towards Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Amas-Darbhanga Expressway to Connect Bodh Gaya and Rajgir
The state has similarly proposed spur roads connecting Bodh Gaya and Rajgir with the Amas-Darbhanga Expressway, which is approximately 198 km long.
The expressway will connect the GT Road at Amas in Gaya district with Darbhanga in north Bihar. Its alignment passes through Aurangabad, Gaya, Jehanabad, Patna, Vaishali, Samastipur and Darbhanga.
The project is being constructed in four packages. According to departmental officials, work on the proposed spur roads will move forward after receiving approval from the Centre.
Proposal to Modify Sasaram Alignment
Meanwhile, the state government is also working on a proposal to modify the alignment of the Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway near Sasaram.
A fresh proposal has reportedly been sent to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, suggesting the construction of a tunnel through the hills in the Sasaram area.
According to the proposal, the tunnel could reduce the length of the expressway by around 15 km. The state government is now awaiting the Centre’s approval on the proposed alignment change.
