Patna: Construction of the long-awaited elevated road from Danapur to Bihta is finally set to commence after the Monsoon season. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has invited the bids from renowned and qualified construction companies to build the 21km-long elevated road, which will connect the upcoming Bihta Civilian Airport through a tunnel.
The NHAI has floated the tender of ₹3737.51 crore four-lane elevated road on the existing alignment of two-lane road. The construction firms have been told to submit their bids by August 29 so that the work on it could commence by September. “We are expecting to finish the project in the next two and half years, as the State Government has almost completed the land acquisition for the additional land required for it,” said NHAI Regional Officer Sadre Alam.
Bihar’s Road Construction Department (RCD) Minister Nitin Nabin said that the project was of high importance as it is part of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s package to Bihar. “The elevated road, which will be the part of main Patna-Koilwar stretch, will have four bypasses or realignments at Neoraganj, Painaal, Kahnaili and Bisunpura,” said the Minister, adding that the construction company would be given the responsibility to maintain the road after ten years of its construction.
Elevated road to have four ramps
A senior officer of the NHAI said that the detailed project report (DPR) 21km-long elevated road will have ramps at four places for the convenience of the travellers to move on of come down. The road will have main in-let near DAnapur Divisional Rail Manager (DRM) office with one ramp connecting with Danapur, Danapur Rail Over Bridge (ROB), Shivala More, Bihta Airport link and Bihta-Sarmera Bypass. Of the total length, four-km from Bihta airport link to Bihta Chowk will be built in at grade mode.
Work on Bihta-Koilwar stretch to begin soon
The RCD Minister said that work on Bihta-Koilwar section of the four-lane road would begin soon. As per the DPR, the road will have one underpass and four high-level bridges. The State Government has acquired the necessary portion of land from raiyyat to build the road. “As far as the Danapur-Bihta section of elevated road is concerned, the State Government has approved a sum of ₹456 crore to be spent on acquisition of land. The railway will be compensated on the land for land basis by transferring land at Hardinge Park near Patna Junction,” added Nabid.
Bihta elevated road to connect with Purwanchal Express
An RCD officer said that the department has proposed to link the Purvanchal Expressway, which is being built from Gorakhpur to Buxar, with the Bihta elevated road to provide smooth traffic for those coming to Patna and Bhagalpur. The department has requested the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to extend the length of Purvanchal Expressway up to Bhagalpur in Bihar. The Minister said that the MoRTH has in principle agreed to the proposal.
