Patna: Bihar Road Construction Minister Er. Kumar Shailendra met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi to seek faster approval and progress on several major road and bridge projects in the state.
Kanwariya Path, Vikramshila Setu
The minister sought early approval for a 6-metre-wide unpaved Kanwariya Path from Hajipur to Muzaffarpur along NH-22. Gadkari directed officials to prepare the DPR at the earliest.
He also sought approval for a temporary pontoon bridge alongside the under-construction Vikramshila Setu on NH-131B. The bridge would help maintain traffic movement during reconstruction and protect commuters, trade and agricultural transport from disruption.
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Muzaffarpur and NH-139 Projects
Discussions also covered four-laning of the Muzaffarpur-Barauni section and the Muzaffarpur Eastern Bypass under Bharatmala. NHAI has been asked to complete the DPR and begin the tendering process.
Bihar also sought early approval for four-laning of NH-139 from Naubatpur to the Jharkhand border, including bypasses at Aurangabad, Obra and Amba, citing heavy traffic and accident risks.
Other highway proposals included:
- Four-laning of Bariyarpur-Kharagpur-Sangrampur-Jamui on NH-333.
- NH-333A connecting Barbigha, Sheikhpura, Jamui, Banka and Panjwara.
- Construction of 116 km of roads under the Prime Minister’s Bihar Package.
- Resolution of land acquisition and forest land diversion issues.
Kosi, Bhagalpur Connectivity
The meeting also covered an approach ramp linking Hariyo Panchayat with the Bihpur-Phulaut Kosi Bridge and early tendering for the Bhagalpur-Baljhor section of NH-133E.
The minister also sought an elevated road along the northern bank of the Ganga from Hajipur Paswan Chowk to Bidupur, besides ramps connecting the Phulaut-Bihpur bridge with nearby villages.
Faster Road Upgrades Sought
Bihar also requested approval for new Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) proposals to upgrade deteriorated roads.
Kumar Shailendra said Gadkari gave positive assurances on the proposals and expressed his intention to visit Bihar to inspect the projects and proposed sites.
The proposed works could strengthen connectivity, reduce travel difficulties and support trade, transport and economic activity across Bihar.
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