₹33,464-Crore National Highway Projects Reviewed in Bihar, DPRs for 52 Works Underway

Dr. Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, Honorable Minister, Road Construction Department, reviewed the progress of DPRs (Detailed Project Reports) for National Highway projects under the Annual Action Plan for 2025-26 in the departmental meeting room today. Mr. Pankaj Kumar Pal, Secretary, Road Construction Department, along with senior officials and engineers of the department were present at the review meeting.

During the review meeting, the Honorable Minister was apprised through a presentation on the current status of DPRs for a total of 52 projects (total cost: ₹33,464 crore), including the Anisabad-AIIMS elevated corridor, Vikramshila Setu, Aurangabad four-lane bypass, Singheshwar bypass, Arwal to Bihar Sharif road project, and the construction of several railway overbridges (ROBs). DPRs are being prepared for 36 projects by the NH wing, 14 by BRPNNL, and 2 by BSRDCL.

Under the Annual Action Plan, development, widening, bypasses, bridges, and railway overbridges are planned for the development of national highways in Bihar. These projects will play a crucial role in improving connectivity, facilitating traffic flow, economic development, and strengthening rural-urban links in the state.

During the meeting, the Honorable Minister was informed that the Arwal Bypass (4-lane), Daudnagar Bypass (4-lane), Magardei Ghat High Level Bridge, NH-322, Dhaka Mor (36.6 km) to Baljhor (63 km), New Gandak Bridge, and Samastipur to Darbhanga, NH-322 projects have been approved, with a total cost of ₹4,645 crore. Additionally, the DPRs for six other projects will be submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways by February 15th.

During the review, the Honorable Minister directed that the obstacles in preparing the DPRs for the projects be resolved promptly by coordinating with all concerned officials. He stated that to resolve road project bottlenecks, letters will be written to the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry, and the Honorable Union Minister. There should be no delays in alignment approval, DPR submission, scrutiny, and submission to the Ministry/RO, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Care should be taken to ensure that there are no irregularities at any level.

The Honorable Minister further stated that bypasses should be constructed with a 25-year horizon in mind. He also emphasized that bypasses should be located away from the city and should be constructed with population and traffic considerations in mind.

The Honorable Minister stated that DPRs for all projects with approved alignments should be finalized immediately and submitted to the relevant offices/ministries within the stipulated timeframe. Prompt follow-up should be conducted on alignments submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and pending compliances/observations should be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

He also issued instructions regarding the DPR for Ram Janaki Marg (Mashrakh-Chakia-Bhithamor). A separate team should be appointed for this purpose so that the project can be implemented quickly. Weekly progress reports should be submitted to ensure timeliness at all levels. Negligence at any level will not be tolerated. Complete the work by setting a timeline.

The Honorable Minister emphasized the need to coordinate with the Railways to remove obstacles to BRPNNL projects. All concerned departments, agencies, and consultants have been directed to work in coordination to expedite the completion of these projects, so that the targets can be achieved within the stipulated timeframe.