Issues resolved, Danapur-Bihta elevated road work to start soon

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has agreed to modify the design of the Danapur-Bihta elevated road to avoid vehicular congestion near the Danapur railway station.

PATNA: Stage is now set for construction of the much-awaited 23-km long 4-lane elevated corridor between Danapur and Bihta after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) agreeing to modify the design of its eastern end to avoid vehicular congestion near the Danapur railway station.

The Danapur-Bihta elevated road project was mooted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on the instruction of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in October 2018. (Representational Image)

The divisional railway office of Danapur will part with an additional 12 acre land and NHAI has given its consent to increase length of the ramp falling on Danapur-Saguna by 250 metres. It will lead to additional expenses of ₹25 crore to NHAI.

An agreement to this effect was arrived at a meeting chaired by chief secretary Amir Subhani and attended by additional chief secretary, roads, Pratyay Amrit and divisional rail manager (DRM), Danapur, Prabhat Kumar, a fortnight ago.

The state government, which was tasked by the Patna high court to resolve the issues coming in the way of commencement of work on the ₹2,200 crore project, apprised the court last week, said the road construction minister Nitin Nabin, adding that the elevated road would also drastically cut the travel time from Patna to the upcoming civilian airport at Bihta.

In pursuance to the order of a division bench of the high court comprising chief justice Sanjay Karol and justice S Kumar in January, the chief secretary held rounds of meeting with the officials of NHAI, railways and the district administration to bring them on the same page.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) undertook ₹1,200 crore project to develop the existing Indian Air Force station airport as civilian airfield to offload traffic at the JNP International Airport at Patna. The state government proposed the elevated corridor to ensure smooth road connectivity with the capital city.

District magistrate, Patna, Chandrashekhar Singh said that the district administration would start land acquisition once NHAI completed the formalities for final alignment and identify the exact land for the purpose.