a day ago
PM package announced in 2015 starts gaining momentum
Patna: Bihar gained new momentum in the transportation sector from the special financial package announced by PM Narendra Modi for the state in 2015.
A recent review of the projects being implemented under the special package, by state's chief secretary Amrit Lal Meena revealed that a network of 1,304 km of new roads was constructed and 44 out of 74 major road projects were completed so far.
Moreover, five major rail projects of the special package were also completed. In the civil aviation sector, the Jayaprakash Narayan International (JPNI) airport in Patna, emerged in its new 'avatar' while development of others airport is in pipelines.
Addressing a public rally in August 2015, the PM Modi had announced a mega package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore for the state.
The largest portion of the package was related to the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), under which 74 projects were announced to lay a network of roads spanning 2,836KM.
The total cost of this was Rs 51,540 crore. "Work on 44 road projects has been completed, resulting in 1,304KM of new roads in the state at a cost of Rs 14,898 crore," a senior official associated with the road projects told TOI on Sunday.
Some major road projects which were completed under the PM package are the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Mahatma Gandhi Setu at a cost of Rs 1,742 crore, the construction of the Patna-Gaya-Dobhi road for Rs 1,680 crore, the construction of a 4-lane road from Simaria to Khagaria for Rs 1,063 crore, the 4-lane road from Koilwar to Bhojpur for Rs 750 crore, and the construction of the 4-lane Bhojpur-Buxar for Rs 595 crore.
The second major component of the Bihar package includes nine railway projects, of which work on five has already been completed and four are nearing completion. So far, 652km of railway lines have been constructed or doubled at a cost of Rs 4,841 crore.
"Work is ongoing on four projects covering 466 km, with an expenditure of Rs 7,736 crore. Key railway projects expected to be completed by the end of this year include the doubling of the Kiul-Gaya line, doubling between Samastipur-Darbhanga, the third line between Dhanbad-Sonnagar, and the doubling of the Rampur Dumra Tal line along with the construction of the Rajendra Bridge," an official associated with the rail projects said.
Under the package, necessary approvals were granted for the development of airports in four cities to provide better connectivity by linking new cities, other than the state capital Patna, through air routes. The renovation of the JPNI, Patna, was also part of the package. The package includes the construction or renovation of airports at Bihta, Gaya, Raxaul and Purnia.
"The renovation of the JPNI was recently completed at a cost of Rs 1,216 crore, with new buildings and terminals constructed. Similarly, Rs 68.72 crore was spent to develop Gaya airport. Meanwhile, construction work is about to begin at Bihta and Purnia. The construction of Purnia Airport is expected to start soon. Land survey work is underway in Raxaul, after which construction will begin there as well," an official said.
