Bihar to Reconstruct 25,000 km of Rural Roads: Minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary.

Bihar Rural Works Department (RWD) Minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary announced on Friday that 25,000 kilometers of rural roads in the state will undergo systematic reconstruction, upgradation, renewal, and maintenance under the newly approved Bihar Rural Roads Strengthening and Management Scheme (BRRSMS). The project, with an investment of ₹20,000 crore, aims to enhance the durability and quality of these roads.

Of Bihar's 1.17 lakh km of rural roads, 25,000 km have exceeded their five-year routine maintenance period and require urgent attention. The roads will be reconstructed with a design life of 10 years and provisions for blacktopping twice during the first seven years to ensure quality standards.

Minister Choudhary, joined by RWD Additional Chief Secretary Dipak Kumar Singh, highlighted Bihar’s pioneering approach, stating, "Bihar is the first and only state in the country to introduce a dedicated maintenance policy for rural roads."

According to Singh, block-wise mapping of the identified roads has been completed, and a public app will soon be launched to allow residents to check road statuses in their areas. Singh noted that only 10–15% of the roads are in poor condition, while the majority are either good or moderately bad.

The first phase of the initiative will see contractors completing patch-filling work by June 2025, followed by a planned program for reconstruction and upgradation. Contractors will also be required to deploy rapid response vehicles to address defects promptly, with penalties, including invoice deductions and blacklisting, for non-compliance.

Choudhary also highlighted the revival of the Mukhyamantri Gramin Setu Yojana, under which 1,000 new bridges are planned. He noted that since 2013, 31,593 km of roads and bridges have been constructed under the Mukhyamantri Gram Sampark Yojana, connecting villages with populations of over 250.

The BRRSMS initiative reflects Bihar’s commitment to modernizing its rural infrastructure and boosting connectivity in the state.

ET