The Bihar government has initiated the process of upgrading more than 100 roads to state highways. The Bihar State Road Construction Department has started working on creating a list of roads that will be upgraded. This move aims to improve connectivity across the state and provide better transportation options for people. The state government’s objective is to enhance traffic flow by upgrading these roads into state highways.
Bihar’s Road Development: State Highways on the Horizon
The list of roads that will be upgraded to state highways in Bihar is currently being prepared. This step is part of a broader plan to enhance the state’s infrastructure and improve travel convenience. The roads that are slated to be upgraded are primarily main roads across the districts. In particular, approximately half a dozen roads in the district are expected to be classified as state highways. Overall, more than 100 major roads in Bihar will be given the status of state highways.
According to the road construction department, the classification of these roads will be done soon. This will be followed by the upgrading of these roads to higher standards. The department has asked for lists of such roads from all the Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers. Work has already begun at the division level to process these requests.
Criteria for Road Classification
A road will be classified as a state highway if it has a traffic flow of more than one lakh vehicles. Additionally, the road must have a direct connection to either a state highway or a national highway. These conditions will be used to select which roads will be upgraded.
Currently, the process is ongoing, and the list of roads for classification is being compiled. It is expected that at least six roads will be included in this list, but official details about these roads are not yet available. A survey to classify these roads is also underway, and the report will soon be submitted to the headquarters for further action.
Upgrading Roads: Benefits and Improvements
The process of road classification and upgrading brings several benefits. Once a road is classified as a state highway, its width will be increased, and various safety standards will be upgraded. These improvements will directly benefit travelers, as they will ensure better road safety and a smoother driving experience.
With enhanced road infrastructure, the speed of traffic will increase, and timely maintenance will be ensured. This will also help reduce traffic congestion and delays caused by poorly maintained roads. Furthermore, by upgrading the roads to state highways, transportation will become more efficient, allowing for improved connectivity between districts and regions.
Focus on Removing Encroachments in Muzaffarpur City
In addition to the road upgrades, the Muzaffarpur Municipal Corporation has planned to tackle the issue of encroachments in the city. There are reports of encroachments in almost every major street and square in the city. Areas like Motijheel, Aghoria Bazar, Kalyani, Station Road, Club Road, and others are heavily encroached upon.
At Motijheel, for example, parking spaces have been completely taken over, and even in front of the traffic police station, the parking area is being used for running hotels. As winter approaches, vendors have set up shops on the roads under the Motijheel bridge, which leads to daily traffic jams. Large shops have also taken over footpaths and drains, making it difficult for pedestrians to walk.
Similarly, on Kalyani Road, Harisabha Chowk, and Club Road, the situation is no different. The roads are blocked with encroachments, and pedestrians often have to walk on the streets, increasing the risk of accidents. Particularly in areas with coaching centers, students are at constant risk of accidents due to this obstruction.
Even in other parts of the city like Station Road and Sadra Hospital Road, the encroachments have become worse. Pavement blocks have been installed for the encroachers, making it easier for them to set up shops. Despite these issues, the municipal corporation has not taken significant action to clear these encroachments, even though senior officers regularly pass through these congested roads.
Apathy Towards Encroachment Removal in Muzaffarpur
Despite ongoing complaints from residents and regular reports of encroachments, there seems to be little action from the local authorities. Major entry points in the city, such as Aghoria Bazar and Tower Chowk, are also encroached upon, with no action taken to remove the illegal constructions.
Locals believe that the lack of decisive action is due to the collusion between local authorities and encroachers. The issue of encroachments is often neglected, and when the issue is raised, it is usually brushed aside with the excuse of “internal agreements” between the parties involved. As a result, these areas remain occupied and hindered, with no real progress being made to address the problem.
Bihar’s Road Infrastructure Expansion
As the state moves forward with the plan to upgrade more than 100 roads to state highways, it is also crucial to address the ongoing issue of encroachments. The development of new and upgraded roads will be meaningless if the streets are constantly blocked by illegal constructions and obstructions. Therefore, local authorities must take proactive steps to ensure that encroachments are cleared and proper traffic management systems are put in place.
The overall success of the road infrastructure improvement project will depend on a comprehensive approach that addresses both the development of new highways and the removal of encroachments that hinder smooth traffic flow. This will require collaboration between various departments, including the municipal corporation, traffic police, and local government.
The Bihar government’s decision to upgrade over 100 roads to state highways is a significant step towards improving the state’s infrastructure. This upgrade will lead to better connectivity, reduced traffic congestion, and improved road safety for travelers. However, the challenge of encroachments in cities like Muzaffarpur still needs to be addressed for these improvements to truly benefit the public. The local authorities need to take strong action to remove illegal constructions and ensure that these upgraded roads serve their intended purpose efficiently. By tackling both road development and encroachments, Bihar can create a more connected and safe environment for its citizens.
