Patna:
In a major policy move aimed at enhancing the quality and durability of urban infrastructure, the Bihar government is set to introduce a 7-year maintenance warranty for all newly constructed urban roads. Under this new rule, contractors and agencies responsible for building roads will also be accountable for ensuring their upkeep for seven years.
Massive Road Maintenance Plan Worth ₹23,000 Crore
The Road Construction Department has prepared a proposal to maintain nearly 19,360 km of state highways and major district roads under the new policy framework. The project is estimated to cost ₹22,956.8 crore, almost four times the expenditure under the earlier OPRMC-2 model.
The proposal will soon be sent to the state cabinet for approval. Once cleared, the department plans to implement the upgraded OPRMC-3 model (Long-Term Performance-Based Road Maintenance) across the state.
Out of the 19,360.674 km of roads selected:
- 14,225.398 km are already under maintenance coverage
- 5,135.276 km have been newly shortlisted for inclusion
100 Maintenance Packages, Strict Accountability
To ensure efficient execution, the department will divide the project into 100 packages, meaning 100 agencies will be selected through a competitive process. A single agency may be allotted more than one package depending on its capacity.
Under the new rules, agencies failing to maintain quality standards could face a payment deduction of up to 40%, making it one of the most stringent road maintenance policies in the state’s history.
Not Just Potholes — Complete Road Quality Mandatory
The revised policy mandates that agencies must:
- Maintain roads free from potholes
- Ensure smoothness, strength, and overall safety
- Carry out at least one major renewal (re-carpeting) during the 7-year term
Merely filling potholes will not be considered sufficient. Agencies must ensure the road remains safe, durable, and smooth throughout the maintenance period.
A New Era for Bihar’s Road Infrastructure
The long-term maintenance guarantee is expected to significantly improve Bihar’s road quality, reduce frequent repair costs, and increase accountability among contractors.
Once approved, the policy will mark a major shift in Bihar’s infrastructure governance, setting a new benchmark for urban road management across the state.