The Bihar government, under the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is gearing up to make a huge infrastructure push, and it is in the process of planning five new expressways in the state, which is based on the development model that has been successfully adopted by neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. The proposal is being perceived as a revolutionary move to enhance road connectivity, improve economic growth and invite investment in Bihar.
The state government sources indicate that the expressway projects are included in the government’s long-term road map of development, and they are under the vision of Satat Nischay-3. The UP model that emphasizes access-controlled high-speed corridors, time-bound construction and synchronized functioning has greatly enhanced mobility and economic activity in Uttar Pradesh. Bihar is currently intending to follow this model to modernize its transport system.
It is estimated that the proposed expressways will connect major parts of the state and make the transit between major cities and districts much quicker. When these high-speed corridors are done, they will enable speedy transportation of goods and people, which will be an advantage to trade, agriculture and industry. The authorities consider that the enhanced road connectivity would also contribute to the inclusion of the remote and underdeveloped areas into the economic centres.
According to government sources, the total distance of the five expressways may be more than 1,500 kilometres, and the construction is expected to be done in phases. Several sources of funding are being considered, which include state funding, central funding, and the model of the public-private partnership (PPP), so that the execution could be timely, yet to avoid burdening the state exchequer.
The expressway projects will also have a massive employment in the construction process and subsequently facilitate the increase in logistics, services, and roadside developments. Experts believe that the development of Bihar is mainly determined by better infrastructure that will help transform the situation and make the country more favourable to investors.
The government of Nitish believes the UP model will help it avoid delays and overruns of cost on the infrastructure projects that have plagued past infrastructure projects. Probably, special monitoring systems and simplified approvals would be introduced to enhance efficiency and transparency.
Though the plan is at the preparatory stage, the officials have demonstrated that preparations are being done, including feasibility tests and route planning. The expressway network would highly change the transport environment within the state of Bihar and also create long-term economic growth, given that it is effectively undertaken.
The initiative depicts the newfound interest of the state government in infrastructure-based development and its intention to connect the people of Bihar better and open more opportunities to them.
