Bihar CM Inaugurates Bhupatipur–Punpun Road Developed by Afcons

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has inaugurated the Bhupatipur–Punpun section of National Highway-22, marking a key milestone in the Mithapur–Mahuli–Punpun road project. The newly opened corridor is expected to substantially reduce travel time between Bhupatipur/Sipara, Mahuli, and Punpun—from approximately one hour to just 10 minutes—thereby improving regional connectivity and easing traffic congestion in the southern periphery of Patna.

Executed by Afcons Infrastructure, the project comprises a 5-kilometre elevated four-lane roadway, a 10-kilometre at-grade four-lane stretch, and a 1-kilometre ramp, with the entire corridor engineered for a design speed of up to 100 km/h. Notably, Phase II of the project was delivered in 19 months, ahead of the originally stipulated 24-month timeline, reflecting effective project management and execution capabilities.

Among the technical and logistical challenges encountered during construction were the need to maintain uninterrupted traffic flow while installing precast segments, 1,764 in total, used to form 112 spans. The project also necessitated widening the existing carriageway from 7 to 17 metres, along with the rehabilitation of affected residents and execution in densely populated urban zones. For the Bhupatipur Up Ramp, a complex methodology involving splice girders and monopole jack stressing was employed, enabling precision in structural integration within spatially constrained areas.

The development is expected to contribute significantly to regional infrastructure enhancement, facilitating higher-speed travel and improved freight and passenger mobility across key urban nodes.