Patna: The Bihar government is set to implement a new policy ensuring long-term quality of urban roads. Under the new rule, contractors and agencies responsible for road construction and maintenance will be required to maintain the quality of roads for seven years.
As part of this ambitious plan, nearly 19,000 kilometers of state highways and major district roads across Bihar will come under the maintenance scheme. The Public Works Department (PWD) has allocated approximately ₹23,000 crore for this project. Agencies failing to meet quality standards may face up to 40% deduction in their payment.
Cabinet Approval Soon
The proposal for the new policy, based on the OPRMC-3 (Long-Term Performance-Based Road Maintenance Model), will soon be sent for cabinet approval. Under this plan, 19,360.674 kilometers of urban roads have been included in the repair and maintenance program. Of these, 14,225.398 kilometers are already under work, while 5,135.276 kilometers have been selected theoretically for future projects.
100 Packages, 100 Agencies
Maintenance work will be divided into 100 packages, with one or more packages assigned to a single agency. Overall, the total expenditure is expected to reach ₹22,956.8 crore, nearly four times higher than the previous OPRMC-2 program.
Beyond Potholes: Comprehensive Road Care
Under the proposed policy, agencies will be responsible for addressing all types of road defects over a seven-year period. They must conduct at least one complete resurfacing (blacktopping) during this period. Simple pothole filling will not suffice; agencies must ensure the safety, durability, and smoothness of the roads throughout the warranty period.
This long-term maintenance policy is expected to significantly improve the quality and lifespan of urban roads in Bihar, ensuring safer and smoother travel for citizens.
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