Patna: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Bihar’s Road Construction Department are taking up bypass projects at several locations across the state to ease traffic congestion and improve road connectivity.
More than a dozen bypass projects are already under construction, while the Centre and the state government have approved additional projects. Funding for several state projects will come through loans secured under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Road Construction Department and NABARD.
The projects also follow announcements made by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during his Pragati Yatra.
Central-funded bypass projects
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved a 12-km, four-lane bypass on the Naubatpur-Hariharganj section of NH-139 in Arwal.
The Centre has also approved bypass projects at Mangobandar, Kendua, Tolsona and Narganjo in Jhajha, Jamui district.
A bypass at Bhairoganj in West Champaran has also received approval.
These projects are expected to divert through-traffic away from populated areas and reduce pressure on existing town roads.
Bypass work already under way
Construction is currently under way on several bypasses along National Highways.
The projects include the Chhapra and Revelganj bypasses, Ara bypass, Buxar-Chausa bypass and Sheikhpura bypass.
Other bypass projects under construction or being taken up include those in Jamui, Khaira, Katoria, Banka, Panjwara, Lakhpura, Raniganj, Aurangabad, Daudnagar, Purnia, Madhubani, Benipatti and Uchhait.
Piro, Bihta and Maner among new projects
Several additional bypasses were announced during Nitish Kumar’s Pragati Yatra. The Road Construction Department is expected to implement these projects using funds obtained through NABARD.
A bypass has been proposed around Piro in the Ara region to ease traffic congestion in the town.
New bypasses are also planned for Bihta and Maner in Patna district, which are important routes connecting the capital with adjoining areas.
More bypasses planned across Bihar
The Road Construction Department is also set to construct bypasses in several other locations.
These include Madhubani and Jaynagar; Gopalganj and Mirganj; Forbesganj and Araria; Kishanganj; Supaul and Triveniganj; Nawada and Hisua; and Sitamarhi and Sheohar.
The projects are intended to divert heavy and through-traffic away from congested town centres, potentially reducing travel delays for local commuters while improving movement on major inter-district routes.
The expansion of the bypass network is part of Bihar’s broader road infrastructure programme, combining central highway projects with state-funded works supported by NABARD financing.
