Patna: The Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL) will soon start construction of five road projects, covering around 225 km, on national highways in the state. The width of the roads of these five projects will be increased and they will also be strengthened.
The project will be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with an estimated cost of around Rs 2,900 crore, including Rs 1,860 crore allocated for civil works. Additionally, the state govt will spend approximately Rs 1,100 crore on land acquisition and forest land use.
According to a BSRDCL official, the construction projects will be carried out on the Banganga-(NH-82)-Jethian-Gehlour-Bindus (NH) route (41.256 km), Asarganj-Shambhuganj-English More-Punsia-Dhoraiya road (58.473 km), Chhapra-Manjhi-Darauli-Guthni road (72.183 km), Ara-Ekauna-Khaira-Sahar road (32.263 km), and a high-level bridge and approach road on the Hathauri-Atarar-Banaganga-Aurai route (21.3 km).
The state govt has given administrative approval for these five roads. Before starting these projects, the ADB’s high-level approval is required. A delegate from the ADB visited the Chhapra-Manjhi-Darauli-Guthni road and Ara-Ekauna-Khaira-Sahar road on Sunday and engaged with the local people.
“In accordance with the rules and conditions of the ADB, special attention is given to uplift the living standards of the people, especially those living below the poverty line, in the areas of these road projects,” said a press release issued by BSRDCL.
At several locations, the ADB delegation engaged with local citizens to gather information on whether the strengthening and widening of roads would accelerate development in their areas. The citizens suggested provisions for bus stands, drain construction, and road safety at various places.
Additionally, information was obtained from women’s groups regarding their livelihoods. They expressed confidence that road construction would boost commercial activity and create new entrepreneurship, thereby increasing income and improving their living standards.
The delegation included Team Leader Edan Luo, India’s representative Jagir Kumar, gender specialist Govind Devai, and Deepak Padhi.