Patna: A weekly review meeting chaired by Bihar’s chief secretary, Pratyaya Amrit, has put renewed pressure on departments to deliver major infrastructure projects on schedule, with a particular focus on irrigation works and the under-construction Tajpur–Bakhtiyarpur Ganga bridge.
The meeting, involving the water resources department and the road construction department, is part of a standing Monday exercise aimed at accelerating decision-making and removing bottlenecks. Officials were instructed to carry out project-wise reviews and ensure completion within stipulated timelines.
The review began with the North Koel Reservoir Project, a Rs 1,367.61 crore scheme expected to significantly boost irrigation in parts of southern Bihar. Officials reported that 1,170 electricity poles and 18 transformers had already been shifted from the right main canal area. The tender for Package-7 has been opened, with technical evaluation under way by WAPCOS.
Progress was also noted on the water distribution system for Nabinagar, Amba, Aurangabad and Madanpur, for which tenders have been issued. In a move aimed at providing immediate relief to farmers, permission has been granted to irrigate 2,100 hectares using pumps at 12 identified locations. Land acquisition, officials said, has advanced steadily.
Turning to the Mandai weir and canal system, Amrit directed that compensation payments to farmers be released without delay and in line with prevailing rates. Additional engineers have been deployed to quicken the pace of construction, while officials were asked to maintain regular dialogue with local representatives to address site-level concerns.
The meeting also reviewed the Tajpur–Bakhtiyarpur Ganga bridge, one of the road construction department’s largest projects. Around 65% of the work has been completed. Once finished, the bridge will link NH-31 with NH-28, offering an alternative north–south corridor across the Ganga.
Amrit instructed officials to resolve issues related to the railway overbridge component swiftly and set a firm deadline of April 2027 for completion of the bridge, underscoring that delays would not be acceptable.
Officials said the weekly reviews would continue until all priority projects show clear momentum, with an emphasis on timely delivery, coordination between departments and on-ground execution.
