Tejashwi Yadav demands expressway for Bihar

PATNA: Road connectivity in the state is likely to get a boost as several important decisions were taken in the meeting between Union road transport and highway minister Nitin Gadkari and Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav in New Delhi on Thursday. Tejashwi also holds the road construction department portfolio.
The Union minister told Tejashwi that the bidding process for Danapur-Bihta elevated road at Patna would be initiated by the end of this month. Gadkari also assured Tejashwi of commencing the construction of a new six-lane bridge parallel to J P Setu soon.
According to a statement released by the road construction department (RCD), it was also agreed at the meeting that the Purvanchal Expressway would be extended up to Bhagalpur. Officers of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) present at the meeting were instructed by the Union minister to expedite the work in this regard.
The deputy CM requested Gadkari to ensure early completion of several ongoing projects, including Hajipur-Chhapra NH-19, Muzaffarpur bypass, Maheshkhunt-Saharsa-Madhepura-Purnia NH-107, Patna- Gaya-Dobhi NH-83 and Birpur-Udakishanganj-Bihpur NH-106.
Since there is no expressway in Bihar, Tejashwi urged the Union minister to start the land acquisition work for the construction of Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway and Raxaul-Dighwara-Haldia Expressway. Taking the request positively, Gadkari asked the officials concerned to do the needful.
"Discussions were held to expedite work on several projects which are pending for the last 11-12 years. Last time, when he (Gadkari) had come to Bihar, it was decided that Purvanchal Expressway would be extended up to Buxar. However, we want it to be extended up to Bhagalpur. Gadkariji remains quite positive. We are hopeful that our requests will be accepted," Tejashwi told reporters after the meeting. Discussions were also held on construction of an elevated corridor between Patna and Koilwar, and Anisabad and Didarganj.
As far as Danapur-Bihta elevated road in Patna is concerned, the detailed project report envisages construction of 19.87-km-long four-lane road from Danapur to Bihta and augmentation of another 4-km-long road towards Bihta end. The elevated road will integrate with a railway overbridge near Danapur railway station. A tunnel is also proposed from Bihta airport-bound traffic coming from Patna. Senior state officials, including additional chief secretary (road) Pratyaya Amrit and resident commissioner, Bihar Bhawan, Kundan Kumar, were present in the meeting.