Bihar okays Rs 2,553 cr for road project on Nepal border

Patna, June 8: The Bihar Government today sanctioned Rs 2,552.86 crore for construction of a 552.3 km two-lane road project on the Indo-Nepal border that will run parallel to the East-West Corridor.

The Principal Secretary (Cabinet Coordination and Secretariat), Mr Ravikant, said that the decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting, presided over by the Chief Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar.

He said that the sanctioned amount will be spent on construction of culverts and bridges, land acquisition, utility shifting and environment clearance for the road project. He further informed that the remainder of the road project cost of Rs 3,557 crore will be released in due course of time.

While the State Government will bear 53.3 per cent of the cost of the road project, the remaining 46.7 per cent cost will be borne by the Central Government.

The road project, spread over East Champaran, West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj districts, will be completed by 2015-16.

Mr Pratyaya Amrit, Secretary (Road), said that the project will be undertaken with full budgetary support of the Central Government and the State Government will boost security in the districts along the Indo-Nepal border by improving road connectivity at various check-posts.

The tender for the project related work has been floated and the actual work will begin around November this year.

Source: The Hindu
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/government-and-...