Two bridges that are important lifelines for eastern Bihar are almost built but would still miss the 2015 deadline owing to delay in acquisition of land for its approach roads.

These include a rail-cum-road bridge across the Ganga at Munger and another bridge across river Kosi in Bhagalpur. These, on completion, would connect southern and northern parts of Bihar.

The administration has reportedly stopped taking interest in the project after Nitish Kumar stepped down as chief minister.

The rail-cum-road bridge across the Ganga is almost built. But the Munger district administration is yet to acquire 89.27 acres spread across 10 wards for the 9.4-km approach road. Against Rs 338 crore marked for land acquisition, local chapter of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has received only Rs 3 crore. 'The Rs 338 crore is for vacant plots. More funds would be required if there is a house, tree or public property on the land,' said Munger land acquisition officer Rabindra Tiwary.

The department of revenue and land reforms has directed Munger's land acquisition department to not initiate land acquisition unless the entire sum is received. It recommended the Munger district land acquisition officer's name as competent authority for land acquisition. But with NHAI yet to recognise him, he is not competent to handle work.

Vijay Ghat bridge across river Kosi, connecting Bhagalpur to Madhepura district, is another case. Recently, evicted farmers raided the office of S.P. Singla, the construction firm assigned the task of completing the Rs 337-crore bridge. The evictees, yet to get compensation for plots, threatened project manager Mohon Prajapati with holding up work if their dues are not cleared.

Prajapati said construction of the bridge was almost over, but was unsure about meeting deadline. The 5-km proposed approach road in Bhagalpur and 3-km stretch in Madhepura have not been cleared for acquisition.

Munger divisional commissioner Sunil Kumar Singh, who holds additional charge of Bhagalpur, said he has instructed district magistrate to solve land acquisition-issues for the new bridge at Munger.

'As far as Kosi bridge is concerned, I will go to Bhagalpur after January 3 and take appropriate steps so that the bridge starts functioning in 2015,' he said.