Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday highlighted the state’s remarkable transformation in road and bridge infrastructure since 2005, asserting that Bihar has achieved its target of ensuring connectivity to Patna from any corner of the state within five hours.

Recalling the condition of Bihar’s roads before 2005, the Chief Minister said that “dilapidated roads had become the state’s hallmark,” with most districts remaining disconnected from the capital during the monsoon season due to the absence of bridges and proper maintenance. “At that time, traveling even short distances would take hours, and people feared for their safety on the roads,” he said.

Kumar said that after the formation of his government in November 2005, a comprehensive plan was implemented to rebuild the state’s transport infrastructure, including the construction of new highways, renovation of old roads, and creation of a long-term maintenance policy.

According to government data, since 2005, Bihar has witnessed the construction of over 6,000 bridges under the Chief Minister’s Bridge Construction Scheme, launched in 2007–08 to connect villages and settlements divided by rivers and canals. The Chief Minister said approval has been granted for an additional 649 new bridges after 2024.

Major bridges built during this period include the Veer Kunwar Singh Bridge in Bhojpur, J.P. Bridge in Patna, Sri Krishna Singh Bridge in Munger, and the Kachi Dargah–Raghopur six-lane bridge connecting Patna with Raghopur Diara. Construction of 10 new bridges over the Ganga, three new bridges on the Kosi, three on the Gandak, and two on the Son River is currently underway.

The number of railway overbridges (ROBs) has also risen sharply from 11 before 2005 to 87 at present, with more than 40 additional ROBs under construction.

Under the Chief Minister’s Rural Road Scheme, funded by the state government, 118,005 km of roads have been constructed to provide all-weather connectivity to rural settlements. Several bypass roads, expressways, and elevated corridors are also under development to further reduce travel time.

Kumar said that while earlier governments neglected road maintenance and infrastructure development, his administration prioritised connectivity as a foundation for growth. “We achieved our 2016 goal of reaching Patna from remote districts within six hours, and in 2018, we set a new target of five hours — which has now been achieved,” he said.

He added that new expressways, bypasses, and bridge projects are underway to further strengthen Bihar’s transport network. “Our government believes in delivering what we promise,” Kumar said, reaffirming his commitment to continued infrastructure development in the state.