Bihar Sets Up Central Laboratory for Quality Testing of Construction Materials in Patna

Patna: The Bihar Building Construction Department has established a central laboratory to monitor and ensure the quality of construction materials used in various ongoing projects. The facility, located at the Patna Bhawan Zone Office in Rajvanshi Nagar, Patna, was inaugurated on Friday by Jayant Raj, the state’s building construction minister.

The laboratory, developed with an administrative approval of Rs 2.75 crore, is equipped with 53 types of instruments to conduct quality testing on construction materials.

Speaking at the event, Kumar Ravi, secretary of the department, said the establishment of the laboratory would streamline quality assurance processes, reducing reliance on external institutions like IITs, NITs, and government engineering colleges. “With our own central laboratory, we can ensure better quality control, save time and costs, and enhance the durability and safety of construction projects,” he said.

The facility is capable of conducting technical tests on materials such as bricks, sand, tiles, ballast, and iron rods. It also offers advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, including rebound hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) tests. Additionally, the laboratory will support pre-construction survey work and soil testing, further strengthening the department’s capacity to maintain high construction standards.