The Bihar state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, on Tuesday gave in-principle approval for the construction of four major roads across the state. Two of these roads will be developed on the model of the J P Ganga Path in Patna.
Key Road Projects Approved
Road Construction Department (RCD) Secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal stated that the cabinet also cleared the names of these projects. Among the two roads along the Ganga, a 56-kilometer stretch will be constructed along the northern bank from Bidupur to Dighwara, running parallel to the JP Ganga Path. This road, named Ganga Ambika Path, will also link the Hariharnath temple and the proposed Sonepur international airport. The second project, Vishwamitra Ganga Path, will span 90 kilometers from Maner to Buxar via Ara, effectively serving as an extension of the JP Ganga Path.
The cabinet also sanctioned the construction of a 73.51-kilometer four-lane road between Darihara in Saran district and Dumaria Ghat in Gopalganj district, to be known as Naraini Road. Additionally, it approved the construction of a high-value RCC bridge with its approach road over the Falgu river in Gaya district, from Kothwara Bazar to the industrial corridor, allocating Rs 113.84 crore for the project.
PPP Mode and Cost Estimates
Pal said the three road projects—from Bidupur to Dighwara, Maner to Buxar via Ara, and Darihara to Dumaria Ghat—will be executed in public-private partnership (PPP) mode. Cost estimates will be finalized after the preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) and submission of the transaction advisor’s report.
Scrapping of Package Programme
In another key decision, the cabinet approved scrapping the “package programme” system for works costing between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 50 lakh under the Rural Works Department (RWD). RWD Secretary Diwesh Sehra said projects will now be allotted individually, with preference given to Bihar-based contractors to encourage local entrepreneurship. Outside firms will be considered only if at least 70% of their shareholders are from Bihar.
Renaming of Sanjay Gandhi Botanical Garden
The cabinet also approved renaming Sanjay Gandhi Botanical Garden, Patna, as Patna Zoo, and its managing body as the Patna Zoo Management and Development Society. Similarly, Sanjay Gandhi Gavya Pravaidyik Sansthan has been renamed Bihar State Institute of Dairy Technology, Patna.
Creation of New Posts and Infrastructure
The cabinet cleared the creation of 9,152 posts in 208 degree colleges to be opened across blocks, along with Rs 104 crore for initial infrastructure at Rs 50 lakh per college. Approval was also given for 485 traffic police posts in Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Biharsharif (Nalanda), and Gaya. The cabinet further decided to earmark 50% of 20,937 police posts for promotion to the rank of assistant sub-inspector (ASI).
Land Transfers for Development Projects
The cabinet sanctioned the free transfer of 2.99 acres in Sandalpur, Patna City, to the Inland Waterways Authority of India for expansion of the National Inland Navigation Institute. It also approved the transfer of 2.44 acres in Dhanpura, Ara, to the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan for a token amount of Re 1.
Additionally, 12.54 acres in Harinkol, Bhagalpur, was transferred to the energy department for the upcoming thermal power plant at Pirpainti. The cabinet also approved the transfer of 49 acres in Banka district for a constable training institute and 8 acres in Pathki, Banka, to Bihar State Power Transmission Company for a grid sub-centre with an investment of Rs 5.40 crore.
