Bihar okays Rs 3,500 cr road project along Nepal border

Bihar government has decided to construct a road along the Indo-Nepal border to enhance surveillance and security in this area. This 552.3 km long road, which will run parallel to East-West corridor, would be ready by 2015-16 and cost around Rs 3,600 crores.

The state cabinet today sanctioned Rs 2,552.86 crores for this project in a meeting presided by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. "It is a very ambitious project for us. It will be undertaken with full budgetary support of the central government and state governmet. It would not only improve security of this area by connecting various check posts of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), but also improve road connectivity for common man," said Prataya Amrit, Principal Secretary, Road Construction Department, Bihar. He added, "This road will be spread over East Champaran, West Champaran, Sitamadhi, Madhubani, Araria and Kisanganj. "

The Government has already started inviting tenders for this project. Amrit stated, "We have received go ahead from Central government for 200 km. So, tenders have been floated and actual work will start around November. We want to complete all paper works during rains, so that the work can begin just after it."

He said, "This 2,552.86 crore rupees will be used for the construction of culverts and bridges, land acquisition, utility shifting and environment clearance for the road project." State government has also decided to borrow almost Rs 1,000 crores from NABARD for this project. "Out of this Rs 2,552 crores, 53 percent will be given by the state government and Government of India will put rest 47 percent. We have also decided to borrow Rs 955 crores from NABARD for this project," said Ravikant, Principal Secretary, Cabinet Department.