The government of Nitish Kumar in Bihar frequently proclaims a 'road revolution' within the state. While images of new highways, four-lane to six-lane roads, and elevated corridors frequently surface in government adverts, a harsh reality lurks behind these declarations. Numerous ambitious road projects in Bihar remain perpetually incomplete. Deadlines have been shifted repeatedly, costs have soared tremendously, yet accountability is still amiss.
Have scrutinized these infamous projects, now considered 'white elephants' due to governmental inertia and carelessness. The projected costs to complete these projects have doubled or surpassed that as delays prevail, continuously draining taxpayer money while citizens remain bogged down in congestion and entangled in dust and mud.
Source: aajtak
The Bakhtiyarpur-Tajpur four-lane road is a prime example. This project, aimed at connecting Bakhtiyarpur in Patna district to Tajpur in Samastipur, commenced in November 2011. Despite a pre-set length of 51.26 kilometers slated for completion by 2016, initial costs were pegged at approximately 1603 crore rupees. Yet, fundamental issues such as land acquisition and the construction of a bridge across the Ganges hampered timely progress.
The result has been a mere 65% completion even after 15 years, with costs inflating to around 3923 crore rupees and a new completion deadline spilling into 2027. This situation begs the question: why commence projects where foundational processes like land acquisition were incomplete?
Source: aajtak
Delay on Patna Sahib-Patna Ghat Road
Similarly, the Patna Sahib-Patna Ghat road project starkly reveals the gap between governmental claims and actuality. This elevated road project, merely 1.5 kilometers long, commenced last year. With a budget of 52.54 crore rupees, it targeted completion within a year. As the initial deadline nears its end, only 35% is complete, pushing the timeline further to 2027. Notably, even under the Chief Minister’s active surveillance, progress remains sluggish.
Source: aajtak
Awaiting Completion of Chapra’s Double Decker Flyover
The saga of Chapra’s double-decker flyover follows a similar trajectory. On July 11, 2018, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar laid down its foundation, promising it would alleviate city congestion and be the nation’s lengthiest double-decker flyover. Spanning 6.62 kilometers, with an intended cost of 411 crore rupees, its completion was set for June 2022. Fast forward to 2025, and only 60% is complete, with a new completion year of 2027. This delay adversely affects local residents, caught in daily bottlenecks and incomplete construction.
Beyond state boundaries, nationally significant projects tied to Bihar endure similar deferments. The announcement to expand the Delhi-Jaipur highway to six lanes dates back to 2009, yet 16 years later, completion is pending. Projects often commence on paper with issued tenders, yet proceed prematurely sans essential approvals and groundwork.
Source: aajtak
Who Benefits and Who Loses from Project Delays?
According to experts, the major beneficiaries of project delays are the contractors. As timelines extend, costs escalate, necessitating extra payments, burdening the public exchequer. Ultimately, it is the public bearing the burden, funding these ventures through taxes.
This inefficiency directs attention to several former ministers overseeing the roads building department, including Nandkishore Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, and Nitin Naveen. Current Road Construction Minister Dilip Jaiswal asserts the government’s renewed focus on meeting deadlines and penalizing negligence, citing cases of suspension against noncompliant officials.
Nonetheless, the stark truth remains—Bihar's road endeavors are still in limbo. With changing deadlines, escalating costs, and elusive accountability, the pivotal question persists: will the government establish a timely, transparent, and accountable system, or will Bihar’s road tales remain entangled and suspended indefinitely?
