Bodh Gaya: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday asserted the network of national highways in Bihar will be comparable to that of the US by the time the BJP -led NDA completes 15 years in power at the Centre in 2029.

Bihar National Highways

Gadkari, who holds the Road Transport and Highways portfolio, made the announcement in Bodh Gaya, while addressing back-to-back functions.

“Our government is making rapid progress in road infrastructure, and that is showing in Bihar, too. I promise that after the current five-year term, when we will be completing 15 years in power, the network of Bihar will be on par with that of America,” the former BJP president said.

Bihar’s road network has seen tremendous improvement in the last few years, and the NDA government will continue to work for further development, said Gadkari, who inaugurated and laid foundation stones of projects to the tune of Rs 3,700 crore.

“Bodh Gaya is the centre of the cultural heritage of Bihar and India. With the projects inaugurated and foundation stones laid today, this region will rapidly move towards development,” he said.

“The projects for which foundation stones were laid today include the Bakhtiyarpur-Rajauli section of the National Highway-20, and the road widening from Rajouli to Haldia… this will improve connectivity between Jharkhand and Bihar, and will also benefit the people of Nawada district,” the minister said.

Gadkari also inaugurated several projects, including the Hasanpur to Bakhtiyarpur road widening section, expected to benefit travellers between Nalanda and Patna districts.

“This route will also provide better connectivity from Jharkhand to Bihar. It will ease traffic and freight movement and encourage trade and industries. Important tourist places like Bodh Gaya and Rajgir will also see improved connectivity,” he said.

Other projects announced by the Union minister include widening of the 90-km Mokama to Munger road at a cost of Rs 5,100 crore and 11 rail over bridges in nine cities worth Rs 1,250 crore.

Gadkari also announced a greenfield ring road at Patna projected to cost Rs 10,000 crore.

With PTI Inputs