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Govt to renovate NHs(The Times of India Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)PATNA: The state government is likely to seek financial assistance worth Rs 3,000 crore from the Centre to renovate 2,455 kms of newly-converted national highways (NHs) in the state. These 2,455 kms of NHs do not meet the national standard as most of them are located in flood-prone areas and hence are in deplorable state. The total length of NHs in Bihar is 3,629 km of which 2,455 kms have been upgraded to the status of national highways through notifications issued during 9th and 10th five-year plans. A field assessment carried out by the road construction department (RCD) of the state government suggested that Rs 3,000 crore was required for the renovation of these roads. Under NH Development Plan-phase one, nearly 206 km long roads have been brought under Golden Quadrilateral Project. These roads which pass through Mohania, Sasaram, Dehri-on-Sone, Aurangabad, Dobhi and Barachatti are being developed into four-lane roads by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The NHAI has already completed its works on 181 km long roads, according to RCD sources. The work on the remaining portion which includes construction of a fly-over and three big bridges would be completed by June this year. Under the NH Development Plan-phase two, 513.30 km roads passing through Gopalganj, Piprakothi, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Forbesganj, Araria, Purnia and Kishanganj have been brought under East West Corridor Project. The state government has extended every possible help to NHAI in this regard. After the completion of this work, Bihar would have two four-lane corridor. Under the NH Development Plan-phase three, 590 km long roads would be converted into either four or six-lane roads. The state government has also decided to develop all state highways into two-lane highways. The work has been assigned to CPWD and ERCON. The government has also decided to accord the status of state highways to 10 more district-level roads which pass through two or more districts, according to RCD sources. Meanwhile, the RCD has introduced two bid system and is also likely to introduce e-tendering to bring transparency in tender process. RCD secretary Raj Kumar Singh, in a statement issued here on April 5, said that the department was committed to maintain high standard in road construction. If the newly-constructed roads develop any crack or deteriorate within three years of construction, the contractors concerned would have to undertake the repair at their own cost, he said. |