Patna: The Bihar government is planning to transform the state’s roads to international standards by building five new expressways inspired by the Mumbai-Pune Expressway model. Minister for Road Construction and Industries, Dilip Jaiswal, stated that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is focusing on improving connectivity, and the master plan is already underway to ensure that any corner of Bihar can be reached from Patna within five hours.
What is the Mumbai-Pune Expressway Model?
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is India’s first six-lane, high-speed corridor constructed under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. Stretching 95 kilometers, this expressway was inaugurated in 2002 by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, with former Union Minister Nitin Gadkari credited for its development. Its success is now serving as the blueprint for Bihar’s upcoming expressways.
How the BOT Model Works
The BOT model is a form of Public-Private Partnership (PPP). In this framework, a private company finances and constructs the road using its own capital and bank loans, while the government contributes minimally. The private firm collects tolls for a fixed period to recover costs and earn profit, taking full responsibility for operation and maintenance during this time. After the agreed period, the expressway is handed over to the government, which then assumes responsibility for its upkeep.
By adopting this model, Bihar aims to modernize its road infrastructure, boost connectivity, and accelerate economic growth, following the proven example of India’s first high-speed expressway.
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