By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Land acquisition for the Mokama-Munger four-lane road project will commence shortly, with the Road Construction Department aiming to issue tenders within three months. The ambitious project, worth ₹5,013 crore, is set to begin construction next year. Deputy Chief Minister and Road Construction Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha expressed gratitude to the Central Government for approving the project and stated that civil work tenders will be invited by the end of the current financial year.
The Road Construction Department announced that the Central Government’s approval of the alignment from Mokama to Munger has removed the final obstacle to the project. Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that Patna can be reached within five hours from any part of Bihar.
Progress on Related Road Projects
- The Buxar-Mirza Chowki four-lane road is under construction. The Buxar-Pareb stretch is complete, and an elevated road from Pareb to Danapur is being built. Once completed, this will provide seamless four-lane connectivity to Bakhtiyarpur via the Patna Ring Road.
- Two road-over-bridges (ROBs) in Bakhtiyarpur are expected to be completed by December 2024, enabling uninterrupted four-lane connectivity to Mokama.
- A greenfield alignment is under construction alongside National Highway 80 from Mirza Chowki to Munger, which includes a 10-metre-wide concrete road. This project is set for completion by June 2025.
Additionally, a six-lane bridge parallel to the Rajendra Setu in Mokama is on track for completion by January 2025, enhancing connectivity to North Bihar. The Mokama-Munger four-lane road project will complement these developments, improving transport facilities across Bihar and easing traffic congestion.
Budget and Impact
The Centre has allocated ₹4,000 crore in the budget for the Mokama-Munger project. Once completed, this road will significantly boost connectivity within Bihar and beyond, linking the far eastern regions of the state, the Santhal Pargana region in Jharkhand, and the Malda and Farakka areas of West Bengal to Patna via four-lane roads. The project will also facilitate better access to Delhi through the Purvanchal Expressway.
Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha recently met with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to push for the project, with the alignment receiving final approval on 28 November. Improved connectivity through this four-lane road is expected to bolster regional development and ease transportation challenges.
