Incomplete Highway Repairs Cause Exam Chaos in Buxar, Students Stranded
Severe traffic congestion on National Highway 120 near Mahraura severely disrupted the second day of matriculation examinations across 14 centers in Dumraon on Wednesday. Thousands of students and parents struggled desperately to reach examination centers on time, with many reporting leaving home hours in advance only to get stuck in long vehicle queues.
Massive Disruption for Board Examinees
Officials confirmed that 12,677 students are appearing for the board examinations in Dumraon, which began on Tuesday. The traffic bottleneck created unprecedented challenges for examinees who had prepared for months for these crucial tests. Parents expressed frustration and anger, alleging that promises to complete road repairs before the examination period were not honored by authorities.
Root Causes of the Traffic Nightmare
The congestion is being directly blamed on incomplete repairs along the critical Dumraon–Bikramganj stretch. Despite repeated assurances from both the local administration and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), dangerous potholes and damaged road portions remain unattended, creating hazardous driving conditions.
A nearly 5-kilometer stretch from Maa Dumrejani entrance to Purana Bhojpur has been under construction for approximately five months under a Short-Term Maintenance Contract valued at Rs 1.34 crore. The project has been plagued by multiple setbacks:
- The tender was floated in August 2025 with work beginning in September
- Construction halted during the festive season after local traders objected to restricted access
- The contractor allegedly abandoned the project midway, prompting the filing of an FIR
- Work resumed around 20 days ago with traffic diverted via Tedki Bridge toward Mahraura More
- Progress has again slowed significantly, leaving the road in poor condition
Administrative Response and Immediate Measures
When contacted about the crisis, Buxar District Magistrate Sahila stated that she has instructed the project manager of the rural works department in Dumraon to immediately fill the potholes on the Dumraon–Bikramganj road to ease traffic congestion. This emergency measure aims to provide temporary relief while more permanent solutions are developed.
The situation highlights broader infrastructure challenges in the region and raises serious questions about project management and contractor accountability. With board examinations representing a critical milestone in students' academic careers, the disruption has caused significant stress and uncertainty for thousands of families across Buxar district.
