Nitish Kumar Reviews Patna-Gaya-Dobhi Highway Progress

25 Sep 2024 CW Team

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has conducted an inspection of the ongoing construction of the Patna-Gaya-Dobhi four-lane highway, urging officials to expedite the project's completion. Once finished, this highway will allow commuters to travel between Patna and Gaya in just two hours, significantly reducing travel time.

During his visit, the Chief Minister stopped near the Basuhar bridge in Punpun to assess the progress of various infrastructure projects. He was accompanied by key officials, including Minister-in-Charge Ashok Chaudhary and Principal Secretary of Road Construction Pratyaya Amrit. Ghulam Qadir, Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), reported that the Chief Minister has instructed to open one lane of the railway overbridge by September 30, with the entire project expected to be operational by December.

The highway project, initiated in 2010, has faced significant delays but is now nearing completion. Stretching 39 km in Patna district, 44 km in Jehanabad district, and 44.22 km in Gaya district, it connects to the Grand Trunk (GT) Road near Dobhi. Originally estimated to cost over Rs 1,600 crore, the project's costs have escalated to over Rs 5,000 crore due to various challenges, including construction agency withdrawals and land acquisition issues.

With over 90% of the work now complete, the highway is anticipated to alleviate traffic congestion, particularly by linking to the Patna bypass. It will also facilitate easier access for pilgrims traveling to Gaya, enhancing regional connectivity and development. The construction has gained momentum following the Patna High Court's involvement in monitoring progress.

Infrastructure Energy

25 Jun 2026

Centre Prioritising Energy Security With Coal Gasification

Union minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy said the Centre is prioritising energy security through a strategic shift to coal gasification and has announced incentives totalling Rs 460 billion (bn) to support the effort. He said more than 35 companies will start coal gasification activities in India within two months and that the government is encouraging firms that bring technology to close the domestic technology gap. The minister described the initiative as aimed at reducing import dependence and developing indigenous capacity. India has the fifth-largest coal reserve in the world, and..

BHEL and Coal India Invest Rs 250 bn in Odisha Gasification

Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) and Coal India (CIL) are jointly investing Rs 250 billion in a coal gasification project in Odisha, with the Prime Minister laying the foundation stone in Jharsuguda. Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy described the initiative as a transformative shift in coal utilisation that will open industrial avenues for the state. The project moves coal beyond conventional power generation to industrial feedstocks. Coal gasification will convert coal into synthesis gas, a versatile feedstock for chemicals, fertilisers and synthetic fuels, and the technology is ex..

BCCL Hands Over Dugdha Coal Washery To JSW Steel

Bharat Coking Coal has handed over the Dugdha Coal Washery to JSW Steel, marking the first coal washery asset monetisation under the Ministry of Coal's asset monetisation programme. The handover took place in the presence of senior officials from Bharat Coking Coal Ltd, JSW Steel and JSW Energy. The washery has a capacity of two million tonnes per annum (mn t per annum), and its transfer is intended to introduce private sector practices into coal beneficiation operations. The monetisation is aimed at modernising coal sector assets, improving operational efficiency and enhancing resource utilis..