Bihar's Bakhtiyarpur-Barh-Mokama Road Widening Project Nears Completion
The ambitious widening of the Bakhtiyarpur–Barh–Mokama stretch on the old NH-31 in Bihar is approaching its final stages, with the four-lane road anticipated to open to the public shortly. This significant infrastructure upgrade, spanning 45.7 kilometers, is being executed by the Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL) at an investment of Rs249.88 crore. Officials highlight that the project is poised to alleviate chronic congestion, substantially cut down travel durations, and enhance connectivity between key towns in the region.
Project Details and Route Overview
The upgraded corridor commences at Karjan near the Bakhtiyarpur–Tajpur bridge at Athmalgola and traverses through Barh, Pandarak Mor, Shivnar, and Mokama, culminating at Bata Chowk via Mokama Bazaar. This route is critically important for facilitating smoother movement between Bakhtiyarpur, Barh, and Mokama, areas that have long suffered from traffic bottlenecks.
Under the project, the carriageway has been expanded from a narrow 6.5 meters to a robust 11 meters, configured as a four-lane road. This transformation addresses years of commuter hardships, including frequent congestion and sluggish movement, particularly during peak hours, which hampered daily travel and economic activities.
Expected Benefits and Economic Impact
Road Construction Department Secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal emphasized that the enhanced link road will not only improve local connectivity but also integrate better with nearby state and national highways. He noted that it offers a long-term solution to congestion on NH-31 by providing a more efficient alternative route, thereby streamlining regional transport networks.
Officials project that the improved transport access will yield substantial economic benefits, including:
- Boosting agriculture-based employment by facilitating easier market access for local farmers.
- Strengthening marketing facilities to support the transport of produce.
- Creating new economic opportunities in surrounding semi-urban and rural areas.
This initiative is part of the Bihar government's broader strategy to fortify road infrastructure and enhance transport links between important urban and semi-urban centers, fostering regional development and growth.
