The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has readied a detailed project report (DPR) for upgrading the 75.4 km state road highway (SH-19) connecting Bhagalpur with Dumka into four-lane NH at an estimated expenditure of ₹1,108 crore. The DPR has been submitted for approval to the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH). The estimated cost includes construction of some bridges and conversion of culverts falling between the stretch, said, NH division officials in Bhagalpur, adding that SH-19 has already been approved as NH by the MoRTH and the road will be assigned a number before the commencement of work. Once upgraded, it will facilitate traffic movement not only to Jharkhand but also to West Bengal and an easy connectivity between north and south Bihar. The project will also ease the traffic congestion of Bhagalpur city besides facilitating better roadways to neighboring states besides promoting tourism and ease transportation of coal, minerals, petroleum products from other states to Bihar, said NHAI sources.
