Boosting Bihar's road network has been a major contributor to Nitish Kumar's reputation but 11 years after he first took charge as chief minister, claims of six-hour connectivity to Patna from any part of the state remain mere claims.

Four four-lane projects aimed at connecting Patna to the rest of Bihar from all four directions — Patna-Buxar, Patna-Gaya-
Dobhi, Bakhtiyarpur-Khagaria and Bihta Sarmera — are either stuck over land acquisition issues or are progressing at a snail’s pace. 

It's the same story with most projects. Bidding happens, contractors are selected and the process of land acquisition is 
taken up at the end, leading to loss of time and money. While in many states work on the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) has reached phase V and VI, in Bihar it is still in phase III. The NHDP is a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) initiative aimed at upgrading and strengthening the 
71,772km national highway network.

The Telegraph highlights the poor progress in a projects  aimed at fulfilling the chief minister's promise of six-hour- connectivity with Patna.

FROM SOUTH

Patna-Gaya-Dobhi road:

The NHAI signed an agreement with the firm IL&FS in November 2014 for execution of this project. It is envisaged to be a 127km four-lane road with sensors fitted into the median and close-circuit television cameras for regulated vehicular movement.

Though IL&FS started work from the Dobhi end, it was stalled after residents near Gaya bypass and Jehanabad protested over land acquisition and compensation issues.

“The landowners in Bodhgaya, Gaya town and Belaganj blocks, among others, are demanding compensation against acquisition of their plot,” said a senior Gaya district administration official. “The government, on the other hand, is providing compensation at the highest rate in the last three years. Consequently, only around 30 per cent of 708 hectares required for this project has been acquired till date.” 

FROM WEST

Patna-Buxar road:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the four-lane road connecting Patna with Buxar on August 18 last year. From Ara, this road will lead up to Mohania on the border with Uttar Pradesh.
The NHAI has divided the 125km Patna-Buxar NH-30 project into two parts - Patna to Koilwar and Koilwar to Buxar - and separate contracts have been awarded for each. The contracts were awarded last September, but work has not started yet.
Sources claimed that only around 25 per cent of the 557 hectares of land required for the project have been acquired. The project is estimated to be completed in two-and-half years at an estimated cost of Rs 1,900 crore.  

FROM SOUTH

West-Bihta-Sarmera road:

Nitish had laid the foundation stone for the four-laning of the Bihta-Sarmera state highway 78 on March 21, 2010. The project, with an initial cost component of Rs 391.76 crore, was targeted for completion by May 2013 but not even half of the work has been completed till date. The Asian Development Bank is funding the project, the Bihar State Road Development Corporation (BSRDC) is executing.

“The contract of the previous firm has been terminated and another firm has been awarded a fresh contract for this project,” said a senior BSRDC official. “Accordingly, the four-laning work on Bihta-Sarmera SH-78 restarted in November last year and is targeted for completion in two years.” 

FROM EAST

Bakhtiyarpur-Khagaria road connecting Patna:

This is an extension of the existing four-lane NH30 between Patna and Bakhtiyarpur. The Bakhtiyarpur-Khagaria road will be 120km long and cost an estimated Rs 1,750 crore.

 The project has been divided into two parts - Bakhtiyarpur-Oata and Simaria-Khagaria.

 “The contractor for the project was selected by the NHAI in March but work has not progressed over land-acquisition issues, primarily between Bakhtiyarpur and Mokama,” said a senior official in the state road construction department.

FROM NORTH

Hajipur-Chhapra:

Work is on for around five years now to widen the 65km Patna-Hajipur-Chhapra road. The Rs 813 crore project was initially stipulated to be completed in 2014 but not more than 60 per cent of the work has been completed. Sources claimed that dispute over land acquisition has been the biggest factor stalling the project.

The NHAI had awarded the contract to Madhucon Projects Limited in January 2011. From Sonepur to Ami Mor, a new four-lane road is being constructed on a whole new alignment, whereas from Ami Mor to Chapra, the old alignment is being 
converted into a four-lane one.

Pictures by Sachin