Patna: Bihar is targeting completion of 50 railway over bridges (ROBs) by June 2028, with the state government working to resolve technical issues and pending railway approvals that could affect construction timelines.
A detailed review meeting was held on September 16 under the chairmanship of Road Construction Minister Kumar Shailendra with East Central Railway (ECR) General Manager Dimpy Garg and other railway officials.
Senior officials from the Road Construction Department, BRPNNL, BSRDCL and NHAI also attended the meeting.
58 ROB Projects Underway Across Bihar
The Bihar government is currently constructing 58 ROBs across the state, of which 47 fall under the East Central Railway zone.
During the meeting, officials reviewed several issues affecting project progress, including signalling and telecommunications (S&T), traction distribution (TRD), level-crossing shifting, General Arrangement Drawings (GAD), structural design and drawings, Quality Assurance Plans (QAP), Work Programme and Safety System (WPSS), technical approvals, traffic blocks and RDSO approvals.
The state has set a target to complete 50 ROBs by June 2028.
Pending Railway Matters Reviewed
Officials from BRPNNL and BSRDCL placed pending ROB-related matters before railway authorities for resolution.
For BRPNNL projects, the meeting reviewed level-crossing diversion and S&T/TRD shifting at projects including Jivdhara–Bapudham, Motihari Court–Bapudham, Sugauli–Majhaulia, Darbhanga–Muhammadpur, Thalwara–Laheriasarai and Raghunathpur–Tudiganj.
Issues related to PCE and TAD approvals for Bakhtiyarpur Engineering College and Motipur–Mehwal ROB were also discussed. Officials reviewed the QAP and WPSS for Jaynagar station, along with pending structural design, drawing and GAD approvals for various projects.
BSRDCL Projects Also Reviewed
For projects being handled by BSRDCL, officials discussed level-crossing shifting and electrical and TRD works at Mohammadpur–Kamtaul and Laheriasarai–Darbhanga.
The meeting also examined TAD and traffic-block issues connected with projects including Patna Junction–Parsa Bazar, Athmalgola–Bakhtiyarpur, NH-82, Badla Ghat–Dhamara Ghat, Koparia–Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Nandini Lagunia–Shahpur Patori.
NHAI ROB Projects Under Review
Pending matters related to NHAI ROB projects were also discussed with railway officials.
These included traffic blocks, launching schemes and TAD, QAP and WPSS, bearing design, structural design and drawings, and GAD approvals.
Officials reviewed the status of these cases and discussed the steps required to complete pending railway procedures.
Dedicated Design Wing Proposed
The meeting placed particular emphasis on reducing delays in technical approvals and railway-related work.
Officials discussed the need for time-bound resolution of S&T/TRD shifting, traffic blocks, structural design and drawings, GAD, QAP and WPSS and RDSO inspections.
A proposal was also made to establish a dedicated design wing within BRPNNL and BSRDCL to conduct preliminary scrutiny of designs before they are submitted to railway authorities.
The proposed mechanism could help identify technical issues at the agency level and reduce delays during the railway approval process.
Minister Directs Faster Execution
Minister Kumar Shailendra directed officials to accelerate ROB construction while keeping public convenience and safety in focus.
He also ordered an increase in manpower for structural design work to reduce the time required for preparing and processing project designs.
Railway officials provided point-by-point responses on pending matters and explained the procedures required for further action. They also assured the state agencies of all possible support in expediting ROB construction and related approvals.
The minister directed state and railway teams to maintain close coordination so that the projects can be completed within the June 2028 target and with the required quality standards.
