Patna: The Bihar govt is planning large-scale infrastructure development along the Ganga river corridor, with a major focus on improving connectivity between Patna and western Bihar. As part of the initiative, a new four-lane road named ‘Vishwamitra Path’ will be constructed along a 90-km embankment stretch between Maner and Buxar.The proposed road will serve as a second major connectivity corridor between Patna and Buxar. The total length of Vishwamitra Path will be around 125 km. To ease traffic congestion and improve travel flow, a new bridge will also be constructed over the Sone river.Officials said the road will largely run along the existing embankment on the banks of the Ganga river. In stretches where embankments do not exist, new embankments will be constructed to accommodate the road. The project will be developed as a fully at-grade corridor and not as an elevated road.The Bihar State Road Development Corporation Ltd (BSRDCL) has initiated the process of selecting a survey agency for the project. The pre-bid meeting is scheduled for May 27, while the final agency selection will take place on June 10. The selected agency will be required to complete the survey and submit the Detailed Project Report (DPR) within six months.According to a BSRDCL official, “The path will be connected to the Marine Drive being developed on Patna’s Ganga bank, creating direct connectivity from the capital to west Bihar. The project is expected to boost economic activity in key markets like Koelwar, Barhara, Ara Sadar, Bihiya and Shahpur. Tourism will also benefit. Historic Shivpur Ghat in Bhojpur district will be developed as a major tourist spot. Markets in Barhara, Salempur Bangla, Gaura, Karja, Belwania and Damodarpur are also likely to see higher business.”Experts believe that constructing the road along the existing embankment will significantly reduce project costs and accelerate execution. While most stretches between Buxar and Koelwar already have embankments in place, work remains pending in some sections. DPRs worth several crores have already been prepared to bridge these gaps.The project is also expected to generate employment opportunities in sectors such as transport, hospitality, agriculture trade, small-scale industries and services.In addition to Vishwamitra Path, BSRDCL is also inviting survey agencies for three major road projects planned along the Ganga corridor. All these projects will be executed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with investments to be recovered through toll collection.These projects include the Vishwamitra Path connecting Maner, Ara and Buxar, the 56-km Ganga-Ambika Path between Bidupur and Dighwara, and the 73.51-km Narayani Path between Darihara and Dumaria Ghat in Gopalganj district.The state cabinet, in its meeting held on April 29, approved several major road infrastructure projects, including the Vishwamitra Path from Koelwar to Buxar, the Bidupur-Dighwara Ganga Path and the 73.51-km four-lane corridor from Darihara to Dumaria Ghat. The cabinet also approved construction of a new bridge over the Falgu river in Gaya at an estimated cost of Rs 113 crore.Meanwhile, work on Phase-II of the JP Ganga Path project from Digha to Koilwar is progressing rapidly. The 35.65-km project comprises a 17.65-km at-grade four-lane road on the embankment between Sherpur and Koilwar, along with an 18-km elevated four-lane corridor from Digha to Sherpur.The estimated cost of the JP Ganga Path Phase II project is around Rs 5,500 crore, and the state govt has set a target of completing it within four years.
