Bihar News : The Bihar government will borrow ₹21,000 crore from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to accelerate road and bridge construction across the state. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed between the Road Construction Department and NABARD in the presence of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Friday.
The MoU was signed at the Sankalp Auditorium at Lok Sevak Awas by Pankaj Kumar Pal, Secretary of the Road Construction Department, and Shaji K. V. Krishnan, Chairman of NABARD.
Funds to Support Projects Announced During Pragati Yatra
According to the government, the funds will be used to implement road and bridge projects announced during former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Pragati Yatra.
The approved infrastructure projects in North Bihar are estimated at ₹13,142 crore, while projects in South Bihar have an estimated value of around ₹30,000 crore.
A total of 64 road projects in South Bihar and 42 in North Bihar were announced during the Pragati Yatra. These projects have also received approval from the state Cabinet.
Major Road and Elevated Corridor Projects
Among the key projects are the proposed extension of JP Ganga Path towards Koilwar via Bihta and its eastern extension from Didarganj to Mokama.
Other major projects include elevated roads in Patna, Rohtas and Darbhanga, along with bypasses in several cities and a number of road-widening projects.
The proposed works also include the Digha-Maner elevated corridor, four-laning of the Bihta-Maner road, an elevated road near Patna Airport, Ara Ring Road, widening of the Ara-Babura-Chhapra road, a bypass at Piro, Madhubani Ring Road and a bypass at Mirganj in Gopalganj.
Focus on Rural Connectivity
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said NABARD has been playing an important role in Bihar’s development and expressed hope that its support would continue in the future.
He said the agreement would provide financial resources for strengthening road and bridge infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. Better connectivity, he added, would make transportation easier for people and boost economic activity in rural parts of the state.
NABARD Chairman Shaji K. V. Krishnan said Bihar was developing rapidly and assured that NABARD would extend all possible support for the state’s development. He also expressed the institution’s commitment to continuing its participation in infrastructure development in Bihar.
The Chief Minister also released a booklet titled ‘NABARD in Bihar’ during the event.
Three Artists Receive GI Certificates
During the programme, three artists were honoured with GI certificates for their contribution to Bihar’s traditional art and craft sector.
Sanjeev Sinha of Bhojpur was honoured for Pidhiya Painting, Ravindra Nath Gaur of Gaya for Patharkatti, and Suresh Dev of Nalanda for Bawan Buti art.
Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Road Construction Minister Kumar Shailendra, and senior officials from NABARD and the state government were also present at the event.
