Patna: The road construction department has sanctioned Rs 66.54 crore for constructing a 13-km long road parallel to the Bailey Road, the lifeline of the city.

The road would provide connectivity between Punai Chak in central Patna and Rukkanpura in the western part of the city, road construction minister Nand Kishore Yadav shared the information on Friday.

The work entails strengthening and widening of the existing road and also construction of footpaths along the newly laid road. In addition to the main road, the project would also take up work to improve the condition of link roads that fall in the area. The work would be completed in 21 months.

"The new road would reduce traffic pressure on the Bailey Road and commuters would get an alternative route while travelling between Punai Chak and Rukkanpura," said the minister.

The department is also undertaking an ambitious project named Lohia Path Chakra that would separate the movement of vehicles through various underpass and flyovers on the Bailey Road.

The first phase of the project is likely to be finalised by December.

The department is also set to start survey for constructing a new road between R-Block and Digha in the coming month as the railway land is set to be handed over to the state within a week.

The department has also sanctioned funds for construction of roads in Sitamarhi, Darbhanga and Purnea and for that Rs 18.42 crore has been sanctioned.