Union Cabinet Approves Rs 7,616 Crore Road and Rail Projects in Poll-Bound Bihar

In a significant development ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved key infrastructure projects worth Rs 7,616 crore, focusing on road and rail enhancements in the poll-bound state.

The move, announced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, aims to improve connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and stimulate economic activity across Bihar and neighbouring regions.

The approved initiatives include the construction of a four-lane greenfield access-controlled highway between Mokama and Munger, part of the Buxar-Bhagalpur high-speed corridor. This 82. 4-km stretch, allocated Rs 4,447 crore, is expected to ease travel and freight movement in eastern Bihar.

Meanwhile, the doubling of the 177-km Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat railway line, spanning Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, has been sanctioned Rs 3,169 crore. This project will decongest busy routes, enhance passenger services, and boost freight capacity for commodities like coal and agricultural produce.

Officials stated that these developments will generate substantial employment opportunities during construction and operation phases, while fostering industrial growth and tourism. The railway doubling, in particular, is poised to cut logistics costs and improve access to key areas like Deoghar and Banka.

It is worth noting that the announcement comes months before Bihar's polls, where infrastructure has emerged as a pivotal issue.

The projects are aligned with the government's broader vision under schemes like Bharatmala and dedicated freight corridors. As Bihar gears up for elections, political observers see this as a strategic push to bolster the National Democratic Alliance's position in the state.