 "Centre clears Rs 1,912 cr of road projects in Bihar, Gujarat")
New Delhi: The government today approved the widening of highways in Bihar and Gujarat at an estimated cost of Rs 1,912 crore.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) cleared projects that include the four-laning of a highway stretch in the Buddhist tourist circuit in Bihar for Rs 1,408.85 crore and the six-laning of a Vadodara-Surat section in Gujarat at a cost of Rs 503.16 crore.
“The CCEA has approved the project for the development of four-laning of 93 kms Gaya-Hisua-Rajgir-Nalanda-Biharsharif section on National Highway 82 in Bihar,” an official statement said.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency will provide a loan with 100 percent financing for civil construction and supervision works for the project, according to the statement.
Of the total cost, Rs 1,216.16 crore would be spent on civil construction and supervision works and Rs 192.69 crore on land acquisition, rehabilitation and pre-construction activities. Completion is scheduled three years after signing the contract agreement.
Nalanda, the site of the ancient seat of learning known as Nalanda University, is a destination for tourists visiting Bodh Gaya. The Vishwa Shanti Stupa or Japanese Pagoda is located at Rajgir, a popular pilgrim destination for Buddhists.
The six-laning of the Vadodra-Surat section of NH-8 includes the construction of a new four-lane bridge across the Narmada river and two eight-lane flyovers, according to a separate statement.
The project cost includes Rs 17 crore for land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities.
The project is aimed at expediting improvement of infrastructure in the state and reducing time and cost of travel for traffic on this stretch of the Vadodara-Surat section, the statement said.
PTI
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