Bihar Election Special: Interview with Shri Nitin Nabin, Minister for Road Construction

The aim is to accelerate development, improve connectivity, and boost local livelihoods. We spoke with Shri Nitin Nabin, Bihar’s Minister for Road Construction, to understand the impact of these initiatives on the ground.

Major Expressway Projects Shaping Bihar
Bihar’s expressway network is set to redefine travel and commerce:

• Buxar-Bhagalpur Expressway: Initially planned as a greenfield route, most sections will upgrade existing roads connecting Buxar, Patna, Mokama, and Bhagalpur.

• Patna-Purnia Expressway (≈245 km): This corridor passes through Vaishali, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Saharsa, Madhepura, and Purnia, featuring multiple bridges and interchanges, drastically reducing travel time.

• Patna-Arrah-Sasaram Highway: Approved under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) by CCEA, with an estimated cost of ₹3,712.40 crore.

• Raxaul-Haldia Expressway: DPR approved, connecting Bihar to eastern ports and enhancing trade links.

These expressways do more than shorten distances—they open new economic zones, improve intra-state mobility, and facilitate access to ports and markets.

Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM): Advantages and Challenges
HAM is central to Bihar’s road expansion strategy:

Advantages:

• Risk-sharing between the government and private partners ensures timely delivery and efficient capital use.

• Encourages private partners to maintain infrastructure over the long term.

• Unlocks projects that may stall due to funding gaps.

Challenges:

• Land acquisition delays due to legal and compensation issues.

• Securing contractors willing to take long-term maintenance risks.

• Maintaining high-quality standards in both construction and upkeep.

Tech Integration in Infrastructure: AI for Bridge Safety
Bihar is also embracing technology:

• Bridge Health Monitoring Policy 2025: AI, drones, sensors, and ML tools track structural health.

• Partnership with IIT Delhi trains over 100 state engineers in AI-driven bridge monitoring.

• High-resolution imaging, LiDAR, and the Bridge Health Index (BHI) help assess bridge conditions and trigger timely interventions.

Completed Projects Demonstrating Impact

• Aunta-Simaria Bridge (Barauni-Mokama Six-Lane Ganga Bridge): Completed in May 2025, this 8 km cable-stayed bridge eases north-south traffic and reduces travel times.

• Mokama-Munger 4-Lane Highway (≈82.40 km, NH-33): Tenders have been issued; the stretch is strategically important for the Buxar-Bhagalpur corridor.

Benefits for Farmers, Businesses, and Citizens

• Farmers: Faster market access, reduced spoilage, and lower transportation costs.

• Businesses: Improved logistics efficiency, reduced supply-chain costs, and enhanced trade with ports.

• Citizens: Shorter travel times, safer commutes, better connectivity to education, healthcare, and employment.

Quantifiable improvements include travel time reductions, fuel savings, increased property values, and higher industrial investment.

Addressing Bottlenecks
Key challenges include land acquisition, funding gaps, and skilled manpower shortages. The government is implementing digital land acquisition, transparent tendering, HAM & PPP contracts, and training programs to overcome these hurdles.

Conclusion
Bihar’s road revolution goes beyond asphalt. With ambitious expressways, innovative financing, and AI-driven monitoring, the state is building a resilient infrastructure ecosystem. While challenges remain, Bihar is well on its way to redefining mobility, connectivity, and economic growth in eastern India.