By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister and Road Construction Minister, Vijay Kumar Sinha, has announced an ambitious plan to reduce travel time to Patna from remote areas of the state to just three and a half hours by 2027. Speaking at a press conference, he highlighted the government’s achievements and ongoing efforts to transform Bihar’s road network.
“Under the guidance of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, we first achieved the six-hour travel target and then reduced it to five hours. Now, we are working towards the goal of three and a half hours,” Sinha stated.
He emphasised that road construction projects worth ₹1,50,000 crore are underway in Bihar under the “double-engine government” model. These include a proposal to expand 13,000 km of national highways, which has been submitted to the central government. Addressing traffic congestion, Sinha assured that efforts are being made to resolve the issue, with several schemes set to be completed this year.
Key Infrastructure Projects and Deadlines:
- Muzaffarpur Bypass: To be completed by February 2025.
- Bakhtiyarpur-Mokama Four-Lane Road: Completion targeted for February 2025.
- Auta-Simaria Six-Lane Bridge: Expected to be ready by February 2025.
- Gaya-Dobhi Four-Lane Road: Nearing completion.
- Hajipur-Chhapra Gandak River Four-Lane Bridge: Completion anticipated by November 2025.
The Deputy CM also noted progress on expressways and high-speed corridors, which aim to further boost connectivity across the state.
Sinha acknowledged delays in long-standing projects like the Tajpur-Bakhtiyarpur bridge, which has been under construction for over a decade. He assured that all such projects are being thoroughly reviewed, with plans to take strict action against irregularities. “We will not tolerate corruption, and the Chief Minister has directed that stern measures be implemented,” he said.
Vision for Bihar’s Progress:
“Our aim is to make Patna accessible within three to three and a half hours from any corner of Bihar by 2027. This will mark a significant step towards the state’s progress,” Sinha reiterated, expressing confidence in meeting this ambitious target.
The government plans to finalise targets for all pending and upcoming schemes within a month, ensuring swift execution and oversight.
