CONTRUCTION OF 27 KM ROAD TO BE UNDERTAKEN

CONTRUCTION OF 27 KM ROAD TO BE UNDERTAKEN

31-JULY-ENG 9

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-----------------------------A stakeholder consultation meeting regarding the proposed 27.062-km-long Bairia-Ara four-lane greenfield National Highway (spur) project was held under the chairmanship of District Magistrate Tanay Sultania. During the meeting, the NHAI PIU (Ghazipur) gave a detailed presentation outlining the project, its current progress, land acquisition, utility shifting, statutory clearances, and inter-departmental coordination.

Subsequently, the District Magistrate reviewed the project's progress and issued necessary directives to the concerned departments. He instructed officials to expedite the land acquisition process, specifically emphasizing the time-bound resolution of pending land acquisition cases in the relevant *mauzas* (revenue villages) within the Ara Sadar and Barhara administrative blocks. He also directed all concerned departments to coordinate effectively to ensure the swift completion of utility shifting and other statutory procedures, thereby enabling the project's implementation to commence within the stipulated timeframe.

It was stated in the meeting that the project involves connecting NH-31 and NH-922 A 27.062-kilometer-long four-lane greenfield road will be constructed. Additionally, the project proposes the construction of a major bridge (approximately 3.6 km long) over the Ganga River near Mahuli Ghat, an interchange, five minor bridges, two vehicular underpasses (VUPs), five light vehicle underpasses (LVUPs), and sixteen small vehicle underpasses (SVUPs).

The District Magistrate stated that this is one of the district's key infrastructure projects. Currently, traveling from Bhojpur (Ara) to Ballia in Uttar Pradesh requires covering a distance of over 100 kilometers via Chhapra. Upon completion of the Bairia-Ara four-lane road and the proposed Ganga bridge near Mahuli Ghat, this distance will be reduced to approximately 27 kilometers.

This will strengthen connectivity between Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, significantly reduce travel time, facilitate smoother traffic flow, and provide fresh momentum to trade, transportation, investment, and regional economic activities. Local employment opportunities will also be generated during the construction phase.

Officials present at the meeting included the DDC; Additional Collector (Bhojpur); Sub-Divisional Officer (Sadar, Ara); District Land Acquisition Officer; Deputy Collector (Land Reforms, Sadar, Ara); Circle Officers (Sadar and Barhara); Project Director (NHAI, PIU, Ghazipur); and representatives from the Railways, Telecommunications Department, and other concerned departments.