Patna: Senior officials of Bihar’s road construction department have reviewed the progress of major road and bridge projects in Patna district, with an emphasis on accelerating work, resolving land acquisition issues and ensuring timely completion.
The review meeting was chaired by Pankaj Kumar Pal, secretary of the road construction department, and focused on projects being implemented by the state’s two key infrastructure agencies — Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL) and Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL). Senior officers and engineers from the department were present.
Officials said detailed presentations were made on the current status of flagship schemes, alongside roadmaps for upcoming phases. Pal directed agencies to address bottlenecks related to land acquisition and local obstacles, stressing that delays would not be tolerated.
Among the projects reviewed was the extension of the JP Ganga Path from Digha to Koilwar, announced earlier by chief minister Nitish Kumar. The 35.65km, four-lane corridor — estimated to cost around Rs 6,495 crore — will connect Digha, Sherpur and Bihta to the approach road of the Koilwar bridge, strengthening east–west connectivity and modernising Bihar’s riverfront road network.
Progress was also reviewed on the Bakhtiyarpur–Tajpur bridge over the Ganga, linking Patna and Samastipur districts. Officials were instructed to expedite construction of the bridge, which is expected to significantly ease cross-river commuting. The six-lane structure, spanning about 19.76km, carries an estimated cost of Rs 4,998.4 crore.
Other projects discussed included the construction of a 1.55km road from Patna Sahib station to Patna Ghat at a cost of Rs 52.54 crore, and ongoing work on the Mithapur–Sipara and Mahuli–Punpun corridor, covering about 4.3km.
The secretary also reviewed plans to widen State Highway 81–106 (old NH-30) from Didarganj through Fatuha and Bakhtiyarpur to Karjan into a four-lane road. The 41.27km project, described as an ambitious initiative of the chief minister, is expected to give fresh momentum to the Patna–Bakhtiyarpur region. Pal said the project should be taken up at the earliest and indicated that a site inspection would follow.
Urban connectivity projects were also assessed, including the construction of a four-lane road with underground drainage from Patel Chowk to Eco Park and onward to Atal Path, as well as works aimed at improving links between Nehru Path and Patliputra Path.
In addition, the physical and financial progress of several railway overbridge (ROB) projects was reviewed. Pal directed officials to intensify coordination with railway authorities to remove procedural hurdles. He later examined progress on a two-lane ROB near Bakhtiyarpur Engineering College being executed by BRPNNL.
Officials said the secretary issued strict instructions to speed up work, ensure inter-departmental coordination and remove encroachments and other obstacles. Once completed, the projects are expected to ease traffic congestion, boost economic activity and strengthen north–south connectivity in Patna and adjoining regions.
