Patna: The Bihar Road Construction Department has stepped up monitoring of major National Highway projects, with a high-level review meeting held on Monday to assess the progress of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and clear pending issues related to road development.
The meeting was chaired by Road Construction Department Secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal. Officials reviewed the status of DPR approvals, alignment approvals, land acquisition, forest and environmental clearances, utility shifting and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) related to railway overbridges.
The Secretary directed officials to ensure the speedy resolution of pending matters and ordered daily reviews of issues that are delaying the progress of the projects.
Consultants Warned Over Delays
During the meeting, the Secretary expressed strong displeasure over delays by consultants involved in DPR preparation and related work.
Consultants were directed to complete their assignments within the prescribed timelines and submit error-free final DPRs.
The department also instructed officials to issue notices and take action according to the rules against consultants found responsible for unnecessary delays or negligence.
Officials were further directed to maintain continuous coordination with concerned departments for electricity and other utility shifting.
Vikramshila Approach Road DPR Sent to MoRTH
The Vikramshila Approach Road (NH-131B) was among the major projects reviewed during the meeting.
The project covers approximately 13 km and has an estimated cost of Rs 698 crore. Its final DPR has already been sent to the Regional Office of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
The project is expected to improve connectivity around the Vikramshila region and strengthen access to important parts of eastern Bihar.
Rs 3,844 Crore Arwal-Biharsharif Project Under Review
The proposed road project connecting Arwal at Km 0 to Biharsharif at Km 89 on NH-33 was also reviewed.
The project covers approximately 89 km and has an estimated cost of Rs 3,844.69 crore.
The department reviewed the progress of the DPR and related approvals required to move the project forward.
Ram Janki Marg Project Covers 146 Km
The Masrakh-Chakia-Bhittamore section of the Ram Janki Marg (NH-227 and NH-227A) was another major project discussed during the meeting.
The project has a length of approximately 146 km and an estimated cost of Rs 8,671.80 crore.
Draft DPRs for Package I and Package II have been sent to the Regional Office of MoRTH for further consideration.
Jaynagar Bypasses and Kamla River Bridge
The department also reviewed the Kamla River Bridge and Jaynagar Bypass project on NH-227.
The project includes the construction of North and South Jaynagar bypasses, measuring approximately 9.8 km and 11.6 km, respectively, along with a four-lane bridge over the Kamla River.
The combined estimated cost of the project is Rs 1,239.48 crore, and the DPR has been sent to MoRTH.
Naubatpur-Harihar Ganj Four-Laning
The proposed Naubatpur to Harihar Ganj four-laning project on NH-139 also featured in the review.
The project covers approximately 137.16 km and has an estimated cost of Rs 3,656.50 crore.
It includes the Naubatpur bypass, Kampa realignment, Obra bypass and Aurangabad-Amba bypass, among other components.
Four-Lane Bettiah Bypass Project
The four-lane Bettiah Bypass on NH-727 was also reviewed.
The project has an estimated length of 37 km and a projected cost of approximately Rs 1,717.83 crore.
The department reviewed the current status of the DPR and the issues that need to be resolved before the project can progress further.
Bariarpur-Bishanpur Alignment Under Process
The proposed Bariarpur to Bishanpur project on NH-333 covers approximately 141 km and has an estimated cost of Rs 3,400 crore.
The revised alignment is currently under process, while the drone survey report has already been submitted.
The department is examining the alignment and other technical aspects required for further progress.
Samastipur Four-Lane Bypass
The Samastipur four-lane bypass on NH-322 was also discussed.
The proposed bypass is approximately 11 km long and has an estimated cost of Rs 498.25 crore.
A revised alignment has been submitted for consideration.
Singheshwar Bypass DPR Sent
The Singheshwar Bypass on NH-131 covers approximately 11.27 km and has an estimated cost of Rs 45.60 crore.
The draft DPR for the project has already been sent for further processing.
Railway, Land and Utility Issues to Be Fast-Tracked
Apart from DPR preparation, the meeting focused on issues related to land acquisition, construction quality, utility shifting and railway clearances.
The Secretary directed officials to coordinate continuously with the concerned departments to resolve pending electricity and other utility-shifting issues.
He also said that a meeting at the General Manager level with the Railways would be organised soon to resolve pending railway-related cases and problems, including issues concerning railway overbridges.
Daily Monitoring Ordered for Pending Cases
Secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal directed officials to hold daily reviews of pending cases and ensure that issues are resolved within defined timelines.
He instructed that DPRs of projects with approved alignments should be finalised immediately and submitted to the concerned offices within the prescribed timeframe.
Officials were also directed to follow up promptly on alignments already submitted to MoRTH and complete pending compliances and observations within fixed deadlines.
Projects Expected to Strengthen Bihar’s Connectivity
The Road Construction Department said the highway projects are expected to improve connectivity, ease traffic movement and support economic development across Bihar.
The projects are also expected to strengthen links between rural and urban areas and improve access between different parts of the state.
With several major highway projects at different stages of DPR preparation, approval and clearance, the department’s latest instructions are aimed at reducing procedural delays and accelerating their implementation.
