Work on Bihar portion of Varanasi-Kolkata eway to begin soon

Central government had this year announced the 610-km long expressway from Varanasi to Kolkata via Bihar and Jharkhand in the annual budget at an estimated cost of ₹28,500 crore.

Construction of much-awaited six-lane greenfield expressway from Varanasi to Kolkata via Ranchi is set to commence in January next year, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) floating a global tender to build 54-km initial stretch, starting from Varanasi, officials familiar with the development said.

At the opening of renovated Koilwar-Buxar NH on November 13 in Buxar, Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari had announced that work was going on various greenfield expressways in Bihar and road travel experience would be transformed. (HT file)

Officials of Bihar’s state road construction department (RCD) said that of the total 54-km proposed in phase-I, 32-km road will be built in Bihar in Kaimur district under Bharatmala Pariyojna. “The new road will run parallel to the existing National Highway -2 (Grand Truck road). Land acquisition for the initiation 32-km route is going on at full pace and it would be completed in the next few months, before the commencement of work,” said an executive engineer, who did not wish to be named.

Once the project is complete in the next four-five years, road travel from Patna to Varanasi via Mohania and from Patna to Ranchi via Gaya would become a smooth affair. “As the existing NH-2 is not in the good shape and heavily loaded, the new expressway would provide a great relief for road travellers,” said the official.

Citing the NHAI’s bid document, the RCD official said a sum of ₹945.24 crore has been allocated to build the 32-km stretch of the expressway in Bihar from Khainti village junction of Chaundauli-Chainpur road to Palka village on Bhabua-Adhaura road in hybrid annuity mode, which requires the construction company to design, build, operate and then transfer to the NHAI for toll collection. “Construction of the road will start in January next year, as the NHAI has scheduled to select the qualified construction firm and allot the work order in last week of December,” said the official.

At the opening of renovated Koilwar-Buxar NH on November 13 in Buxar, Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari had announced that roads in Bihar would be built matching the quality of America. He had said work was going on various greenfield expressways in Bihar and road travel experience would be transformed.