Smooth drive: Bihar roads ‘to show the way’

PATNA: Once mocked for bad roads, Bihar is winning praises now. The state will make a presentation on the implementation of a road project at

Tripartite Project Review Meeting (TPRM) in Mumbai on February 19.

The meeting is to review the performance of Bihar Road Construction Corporation, aided by Asian Development Bank. ‘‘Bihar will show the way,’’ said BRCC MD Pratyay Amrit. The corporation, a newly-established state government undertaking, is executing ADB’s road projects.

BRCC got a letter from the department of economic affairs, ministry of finance, on December 23, applauding the progress made in construction of roads under ADB projects. The letter, signed by under-secretary Mohandasan P, noted that the state undertaking was the best performing one in India for its innovations and new techniques. The letter asked BRCC to make a presentation at TPRM, which will be attended by ADB officials as well as representatives of the Centre and various state governments.

Bihar has taken a $ 420 million loan for construction of the 820-km road, known as Bihar State Highway Roads Phase I Project. The loan was disbursed in December 2008 and the project has to be completed by December 2011.‘‘Already, 20% of the work is complete and we are sure of completing the rest within the stipulated time,’’ said Amrit. Encouraged by its own progress, the state has sought another $500 million from ADB for Phase II.

According to road construction department sources, around 50% of over 13,000 km of district roads, state highways and national highways have been upgraded. The district roads are around 8,000 km long, followed by 2,035 km state highways and about 3,000 km national highways.

A major part of the work is likely to be completed this year. As a result of improved roads, the transport business is thriving. Number of people using buses, private cars/SUVs, taxis and two-wheelers has increased substantially.