Patna: In a bid to fast-track the development of road and bridge infrastructure, the Bihar government has announced plans to implement the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) for large-scale projects across the state. The move, which blends public and private investment, was confirmed by Road Construction Minister Nitin Naveen during a recent session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
The HAM approach, already in use by the central government for national highways, will now be applied in Bihar for the construction of expressways, bridges, and elevated roads. Under this model, 40% of the project cost is paid by the government during the four-year construction phase, while the remaining 60% is borne by the contractor, to be reimbursed over the following 15 years with interest. The contractor is also responsible for operation and maintenance during this period, for which additional government funds will be provided.
“This model will reduce the financial burden on the government and allow more infrastructure projects to be initiated simultaneously,” said Naveen. “The contractor whose bid is both technically qualified and financially lowest will be awarded the project.”
The state has taken its first major step in this direction with the approval of a 35.65-km road project along the Ganga river under the HAM model. Part of the J.P. Ganga Path, the proposed route will stretch from Digha in Patna to Koilwar in Bhojpur district, with 18 km of elevated road and 17.65 km of at-grade sections. The four-lane corridor, costing an estimated Rs 5,500 crore, is expected to ease traffic between Danapur, Shahpur, and Ara by linking key bridges across the Ganga and Son rivers.
“This road will not only improve connectivity but also play a pivotal role in meeting the state’s 2047 development goals,” said Naveen.
Bihar is now set to adopt HAM across a range of upcoming expressway and river-bridge projects. Officials say the model’s success in other states and its appeal to private developers has encouraged Bihar to accelerate its implementation.
