Patna: The traffic congestion issue in Bihar is set to improve as the road construction department has initiated plans to widen major district roads (MDR). These roads, which connect various districts and localities, are primarily single-lane, leading to regular traffic jams that disrupt the flow of vehicles and cause inconvenience to commuters.
To tackle this problem, the department has decided to convert these roads into intermediate lanes, making them at least 5.5 meters wide.
142.92 km of road will be widened
Bihar has a total of 16,181 kilometers of MDR under the Path Nirman Department. Of these, around 5,391 kilometers are still single-lane, which significantly contributes to the traffic jams across the state. The government’s decision to widen these roads aims to reduce congestion and improve overall road safety, ensuring a smoother travel experience for the public.
In the financial year 2023-24, the state government began widening 1,848 kilometers of MDR, a significant step toward easing traffic flow. For the current year, 2024-25, the Road Construction Department has already started work on 142.92 kilometers of road widening. This effort is part of the department’s broader goal to transform the road network by upgrading it from single-lane to intermediate lanes, which will allow better movement of vehicles and prevent frequent blockages.
3,000 km roads still single lane
However, there are still approximately 3,000 kilometers of MDR left to be widened. These roads serve as vital links between district and block headquarters, and the single-lane condition has made daily commuting increasingly difficult. The government aims to complete the widening work on these remaining roads within the next three to four years, bringing relief to the people who have long faced the challenges of traffic jams.
This initiative is expected to enhance connectivity, boost economic activities, and improve the daily lives of the people in Bihar, providing them with better and faster transportation options.
