Rs. 3,746 crore sanctioned for road projects.

The state cabinet recently sanctioned Rs. 3,746 crore for the construction of bridges, culverts and upgrade and widening of state highways under two major road projects in Bihar.

Talking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, principal secretary (cabinet coordination) Brajesh Mehrotra said one of the road projects is an Asian Development Bank-aided project. To cost Rs. 2,629 crore, it would cover 824.22km stretch. The project includes upgrade of two-lane road and construction of small and big bridges, culverts and drainage system.

The other project is for widening state highways from Bihta to Sarmera via Naubatpur, Beldarichak, Daniayawa and Chandi. The revised estimate of this project would be Rs. 1,117 crore, Mehrotra said.

The cabinet also approved the proposal to dismiss three government officials. The suspended executive engineer of West Kosi Canal division, Kameshwar Nath Singh, was dismissed for his alleged involvement in huge financial irregularities. The then civil surgeon of Kaimur, Dr Uchit Lal Mandal, was also dismissed for his alleged involvement in financial irregularities. The cabinet also approved the dismissal of the then medical officer in charge of primary health centre, Udwantnagar (Bhojpur district) for his prolonged absence from the duty without prior notice.

TIMES OF INDIA