New Delhi: 23 July: The progress in road construction work allotted to two central government agencies IRCON and CPWD in Bihar is unsatisfactory. CPWD and IRCON both were allotted with 1705 km and 330 km respectively for converting one into two lane under road development work at cost of Rs. 2385.90 crores and Rs. 591.12 crores. Dr. Prem Kumar, Road Construction Minister, Bihar conveyed that till date only Rs. 374.51 crores by CPWD and Rs. 108.47 crores by IRCON has been spent. Dr. Kumar has taken it very seriously and has expressed his anguish and has given a stern warning to accelerate the work. He also directed the local officials of these two central agencies to improve their work culture; otherwise the state govt. will not hesitate in taking any stern action against them.
These facts came into light last week when Dr. Prem Kumar after assuming the charge as Minister of Road Construction Department, was reviewing the progress of roads in the state. It is worth mentioning that altogether 3981 km. of state roads has been declared State Highways.
Before the formation of new government in November 2005, there were only 2100 km of State Highways. The new government declared to add another 1054 km in 2006-07 and 827 km in 2007-08, which if put together will constitute 3981 km of State Highways. Out of earlier declared 2100 km. State Highways, 2035 km. (leaving apart urban areas) is being converted into two lane with 'Rastriya Sam Vikas Yojna Fund' under SHDP-I scheme.
Dr. Prem Kumar further explained that rest of the 1880 km. has been taken up under SHDP-II. Out of these, 112 km. long road block of Bihta-Sarmera State Highway will be constructed at the cost of Rs. 358 crores. Out of Rs. 358 Crores, Rs. 100 Crores will come as additional Central assistance and the rest Rs. 758 crores will be financed through a HUDCO loan. Another 820 km. of State Highways will be developed into two lane in total of 9 Packages with an estimated cost of Rs. 1654.68 crores, out of which Rs. 1489.21 crores will come from Asian Development Bank loan and rest Rs. 165.47 crores will be spent from the state fund. Its' Detailed Project Report (DPR), has already been prepared.
