Patna: Bihar’s Road Construction Minister Nitin Nabin said on Tuesday that the state will build new roads and bridges using the Hybrid Annuity Maintenance (HAM) model. This model will help reduce the government’s burden because the contractor will pay 60% of the cost during construction and the government will pay them back slowly with interest over the next 15 years. The contractor will also maintain the roads for 15 years, ensuring good quality.
Minister Nabin explained that earlier the government had to pay the full cost at once, but with the HAM model, funds can be saved and used for other important projects in Bihar. Under this plan, toll collection rights will remain with the state government, and after 15 years, the roads and bridges will be handed back to the government. This method is part of a public-private partnership that will speed up infrastructure work.
The first projects under this model will be along the banks of the Ganga river. In Munger, two big road sections will be built. The first section is from Safiabad to Bariyarpur Ghorghat, covering 42 km, with at-grade and elevated roads, underpasses, toll plazas, and upgraded ghats. This project will cost around Rs 5,120 crore and also have a tourist rest house. The second section is from Sultanganj to Sabour via Bhagalpur, which will be 41 km long with similar features and will cost around Rs 4,850 crore.
Together, these projects will cost nearly Rs 10,000 crore. Minister Nabin said contractors are very interested in this HAM model, and the government plans to use it for other expressways, bridges, and roads across Bihar. He added that this is an important step to achieve the goal of a developed Bihar by 2047.
