CM Nitish Kumar inspects Bihta-Danapur elevated road and SDRF headquarters construction in Bihar

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today conducted an on-ground inspection of two key infrastructure projects in Bihar—the Bihta-Danapur Elevated Road and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) headquarters. These projects, which are part of the state’s development agenda, aim to enhance transportation efficiency and disaster management capabilities.

The Bihta-Danapur Elevated Road is a significant component of the broader Patna-Buxar four-lane highway. The road is designed to improve connectivity between Bihta and Danapur, both crucial areas for commuters and businesses in the region. At 25.081 kilometers in length, the elevated road will reduce travel time between these locations, easing traffic congestion and improving access to important destinations like Bihta Airport and the Danapur railway station. The elevated road project includes four bypasses: the Neuraganj bypass (1.20 km), Pinal bypass (1.75 km), Kanhauli bypass (1.70 km), and Vishunpur bypass (0.60 km). These bypasses are being developed to alleviate local traffic flow, enabling smoother movement for both local and long-distance travelers.

During his visit, CM Kumar was briefed by officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the construction company responsible for the project. The project is being funded by the state government, which is working closely with NHAI to ensure timely completion. The road is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the connectivity between Patna and surrounding areas, including Buxar, and is seen as vital for improving the region’s overall infrastructure.

Following the road inspection, Chief Minister Kumar reviewed the construction progress of the SDRF headquarters in Dilawarpur, Bihta. The SDRF, established in 2010 on the lines of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), is designed to respond to natural and man-made disasters within Bihar. Until now, SDRF personnel had to travel out of state for specialized training, due to the absence of a dedicated facility. To address this gap, the Bihar government has initiated the construction of a permanent headquarters that will provide the necessary infrastructure for training, operations, and living accommodations for SDRF personnel.

The SDRF headquarters will include several key facilities. The administrative building will house the operational offices, while the 500-capacity auditorium will be used for large-scale gatherings and training sessions. A training center for 290 trainees will be established, along with a facility for a rapid response disaster team comprising 30 personnel. Additionally, the complex will include a state-of-the-art swimming pool for flood rescue training, which will be the first of its kind in Bihar. Housing arrangements will be made for officers and staff, with 108 officer and 150 employee residential units, as well as barracks to accommodate up to 330 personnel. These facilities are designed to ensure that the SDRF is equipped with the resources it needs to operate effectively and efficiently during emergencies.

The project is being developed in phases, with the first phase scheduled for completion by January 2025. This phase will include the administrative building, training center, quick response team building, barracks, and officers' accommodations. The second phase will focus on completing additional structures, including the auditorium, family housing, and the swimming pool, which are expected to be finalized by June 2025.

Secretary of the Building Construction Department, Kumar Ravi, provided further details on the project, stating that the SDRF headquarters will serve as a central hub for disaster management in Bihar. The construction is progressing according to plan, with the government ensuring that all necessary resources are provided to complete the headquarters on schedule. Once completed, the SDRF will have a dedicated and fully equipped base, improving its capacity to respond to disasters within the state.