Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary addressing the inauguration function of Mandiri Drain Road (Naveen Kishore Sinha Path) in Patna on May 11, 2026. Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui
By A Correspondent
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday inaugurated the Naveen Kishore Sinha Path (Mandiri Drain Road), constructed under the Patna Smart City Mission at a cost of ₹115.08 crore.
The 1,289-metre-long road has been built over the renovated and covered Mandiri drain, linking Income Tax Square with Ashok Rajpath. The project includes a modern drainage system, improved lighting and enhanced ease of movement for commuters.
After lighting the ceremonial lamp to mark the inauguration, the Chief Minister paid tribute to late Naveen Kishore Sinha on his birth anniversary. He described the occasion as a significant milestone for the city, noting his personal association with the area.
He said the Mandiri drain, earlier open and heavily polluted, had caused considerable inconvenience to residents. With the construction of a four-lane road over it, the locality has been transformed, offering smoother connectivity and a cleaner environment. The road will be further linked to JP Ganga Path, with instructions issued to complete the work by March 31, 2027.
The Chief Minister said the project would transform the locality from a primarily residential zone into a commercial hub, with malls and showrooms expected to emerge. He credited former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP National President and Rajya Sabha member Nitin Nabin for their role in conceptualising and advancing the project.
Highlighting broader urban development plans, he said efforts were underway to expand Patna on both sides of the Ganga River. A new township named Pataliputra will be developed over 66,000 acres, while another township named Hariharnath is planned in Sonepur across the river.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to good governance, he said Bihar aims to strengthen its economic position and attract industry. He added that law and order would be strictly enforced, warning that criminals challenging the police would face action within 48 hours, irrespective of caste or religion.
The Samrat Choudhary also stressed the importance of maintaining drainage systems to prevent waterlogging and directed officials to expedite the Patna Metro project. He announced that a water metro service on the Ganga would commence within one and a half months.
During the event, a short film on the construction of the Mandiri Drain Road was screened. The Chief Minister was welcomed by Urban Development and Housing Department Principal Secretary Vinay Kumar with a sapling.
The programme was also addressed by BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav, and Bihar Urban Development Minister Nitish Mishra.
On the occasion, Cooperative Minister Ram Kripal Yadav, BJP State President Sanjay Saraogi, MLAs Sanjeev Chaurasia and Ratnesh Kumar, Patna Mayor Sita Sahu, Chairman of the Bihar State Religious Trust Board Ranbir Nandan, Deputy Mayor Reshmi Chandravanshi, Farmers’ Commission Chairman Roop Narayan Mehta, along with other public representatives, were present.
Senior officials in attendance included Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, Urban Development and Housing Department Principal Secretary Vinay Kumar, Health Department Secretary Kumar Ravi, Chief Minister’s Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, Special Officer to the Chief Minister Gopal Singh, Urban Development Secretary Sandeep R. Pudkalakatti, Patna Division Commissioner Animesh Parashar, Municipal Commissioner Yashpal Meena, Inspector General of Police (Patna Range) Jitendra Rana, District Magistrate Dr Tyagarajan SM, and Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K. Sharma, among others.
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