PATNA: Vehicular traffic between Patna and Bihta is set to get a major boost soon. Apart from a proposed elevated road, the existing two-lane road will also be widened into four lanes. Both the roads will smoothen vehicular movement till the Bihta airbase from where commercial flight operations are proposed to begin in a few years.The road is proposed to start from the Danapur railway station. Funds for construction of the 20km-long elevated road and widening of the existing surface road is slated to be borne by the Centre, while the corresponding construction works are likely to be undertaken by the state government.The Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL), an executing agency of the state road construction department, has recently initiated the bidding process for roping in a consultant for preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) of the project. The DPR will include detail survey, soil testing, traffic survey and finalization of alignment, among other works.“The existing two-lane road will be widened into four lanes in order to smoothen vehicular connectivity for local residents. The elevated four-lane road, on the other hand, will serve as a dedicated expressway connectivity for people going to Bihta airbase. The DPR for this project is slated to be made ready in six months,” said Sunil Kumar, an engineer in BRPNNL.Sources claimed the elevated road would be constructed within the carriageway of the existing surface road in order to avoid land acquisition, except for locations having inadequate width. They further claimed that the DPR would also dwell into the possibility of construction of toll plaza. Besides, way side amenities required on tolled highway will also be planned. The local and slow traffic may need segregation from the main traffic and so provision of service roads and fencing may also be considered, wherever necessary, to improve efficiency and safety.The elevated road to provide expressway connectivity to Bihta airbase was initially slated to be constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). However, later it was decided that the state government will execute the project and funds will come from the Centre.The state government has also sought nod from the Centre for transfer of land near Danapur railway station for being acquired for the purpose of construction of the Danapur-Bihta elevated road.Airports Authority of India (AAI) has targeted to commence the construction of first block of the proposed civil enclave at Bihta airbase in 2019, utilizing funds to the tune of Rs 500 crore.At least 120 acres of land has already been acquired near Bihta airbase by the Patna district administration, out of which 108 acres will be utilized by AAI for the purpose of construction of civil enclave. The remaining 12 acres of land adjacent to the proposed civil enclave will be used by the state government for development of amenities, including, a VIP lounge, a hotel and a hangar.

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