India has formally begun its ambitious project to construct a
double-lane road parallel to Indo-Nepal border in its eastern state
Bihar.
The proposed 557-km double-lane road which will connect the posts of
Shasathra Seema Bal (SSB), is deemed significant for the enhancement of
border security and economic activities in the bordering areas. This
project is the brainchild of the central home ministry.
Last week, Bihar government cleared the administrative essentials for
the construction of this road which will be the first of its kind to
connect the eastern part of the state with western part.
According to Road construction Minister of Bihar Nand Kishore Yadav,
the state government and centre will jointly bear the total expenses for
the project.
“Bihar government will bear about IRs 16, 00 to 17,00 crores and the
central government will sanction IRs 17,00 to 18,00 crores,” Yadav told
eKantipur over phone.
A senior engineer Baban Ram, who has been looking after this project,
informed that the construction of the road will start in the last
quarter of this year.
“The process of tender has already begun and we hope that the
construction will start by October/November 2012,” said Ram. According
to him, the construction is expected to be completed within the fiscal
year 2015/16.
The road will spread over the seven bordering districts of
Bihar–Paschim Champaran, Purbi Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul,
Araria and Kishanganj. This road in the making will be very helpful for
the movement of paramilitary forces deputed in the border and
patrolling along with the economic activities in the region, said the
officials.
“Bordering areas of Nepal will also be able to benefit economically
from the proposed road,” added the officials of Bihar government.
Among the five bordering Indian states, Bihar shares the largest portion of total 1850 Km border with Nepal
