Transport in Bihar | BPSC Preparation: All subjects - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Transport in Bihar

Transport refers to the system of carrying passengers and goods from one place to another. It is a vital lifeline for the economy of a country or state, connecting production with consumption. Bihar has various means and modes of transport that contribute to boosting the state's economy.

Modes of Transport in Bihar

Bihar utilizes different modes of transport, including road, rail, water, and air transport. Each mode plays a significant role in the state's connectivity and economic development.

Road Transport in Bihar

• The road network in Bihar serves as the arterial framework for facilitating trade, transport, social integration, and economic development.
• Road transport offers several advantages over other modes, including easy accessibility, operational flexibility, door-to-door service, last-mile connectivity, and reliability.
• According to the Economic Survey 2018-19, Bihar has a total road network length of 2,06,484 km.
• Bihar boasts the third-highest road network density in India, with 219 km per 100 sq km, following Kerala and West Bengal. This is significantly higher than the national average of 143 km.
• Road transport in Bihar is categorized into four types:

Some National Highways in Bihar

(i) National Highways (NH)
These roads are managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and are crucial for long-distance travel and transportation across states. In Bihar, the total length of National Highways is 5,512 km.
Major National Highways in Bihar

• NH-22: Runs from Saharsa to Purnea. Length: 202 km.
• NH-27: Connects Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi. Length: 204 km.
• NH-31: Links Katihar to West Bengal border. Length: 105 km.
• NH-33: Connects Bhagalpur and Jharkhand border. Length: 385 km.
• NH-39: Runs from Gaya to Jharkhand border. Length: 190 km.

(ii) State Highways (SH)
State Highways are used for inter-district movements within Bihar. The total length of State Highways in Bihar is 4,006 km.
Road Types:

• 65.8% are double-lane roads.
• 14.3% are intermediate lane roads.
• 19.4% are single-lane roads.
• 0.6% are multiple-lane roads.

Districts by Road Length:

• Longest: Patna, Gaya, Supaul, Nalanda, Muzaffarpur.
• Shortest: Sheohar, Munger, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai.

(iii) Major District Roads (MDR)

Major District Roads are branch roads of State and National Highways, serving as primary routes for intra-district movements. They connect production and marketing areas within districts to NH and SH. The total length of Major District Roads in Bihar is approximately 12,356.85 km.

• Road Conversions:
  • 4,030 km of MDRs have been upgraded to intermediate lane roads.
  • 1,760 km of MDRs have been upgraded to double or multiple lane roads.

(iv) Rural Roads

• Rural roads are essential for connecting villages and facilitating movement within rural areas. These roads link villages to each other and to higher-category roads like district roads, state highways (SHs), and national highways (NHs).
• To ensure that every unconnected village in Bihar is linked, the State Government has implemented the Ghar Tak Pakki Gali-Naliyaan Scheme as part of the ‘Saat Nischaya’ initiative.
• According to the Economic Survey 2018-19, the State Government had constructed approximately 73,782.11 km of rural roads in Bihar as of September 2018.

Main Organisations Related to Road Transport

Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC)

• Established in 1959 under the Road Transport Corporation Act, 1950, BSRTC operates under the Government of Bihar, with its headquarters in Patna.
• The corporation aims to strengthen the public transportation system in Bihar.
• As per the Economic Survey 2018-19, BSRTC operates 410 buses in rural and urban areas, with an additional 231 buses running under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
• BSRTC has received recognition for its services, including the Commendable Initiative Award from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, for ‘Best City Bus Services.’
• The corporation has also provided free bus services for significant events, such as the 350th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Govind Singh Ji Maharaj and the centenary celebration of Champaran Satyagraha.

Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL)

• BSRDCL was established in 2009 under the Company Act, 1956, with the objective of constructing, repairing, and maintaining roads, bridges, tunnels, and other physical infrastructure within or outside the state.
• The corporation is involved in various projects, including 14 State Highway projects for double-laning and a 6-lane bridge over the Ganga River, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL)

• BRPNNL operates under the Road Construction Department and was established on June 11, 1975.
• The corporation has played a significant role in constructing the rail-cum-road bridge near Patna, connecting Digha and Sonepur across the Ganga River.

Major Road Development Schemes of Bihar

Mukhyamantri Setu Nirman Yojana

• Aims to provide all-weather connectivity to remote rural areas.
• Empowers District Administration to construct bridges costing up to ₹25 lakh, with higher-cost bridges managed by Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited.

Road Development Vision, 2020

• Approved by Bihar Government on February 3, 2017, to enhance road infrastructure and connectivity.
• Plans to widen all State Highways to a minimum of two lanes and ensure long-distance district roads have a minimum width of 5.5 m.
• Includes rehabilitation of unmaintained and narrow bridges, construction of RCC bridges on high-traffic roads, and development of wide bridges, causeways, and low-level culverts for all-weather connectivity.

Major Works Planned (2016-2020)

Major Road Projects:

• Noorsari-Silao Road
• Anisabad-Aurangabad-Hariharganj Road (NH 98)
• Dehri-Nasariganj-Bihramganj-Dinera Road (SH 15), Darbhanga-Samastipur Road (SH 50)
• Dighwara-Bhelodi-Amnour-Tarniya-Panapur to Semari Mandir (SH 104)

Major Bridge Projects:

• 4-lane bridge on river Ganga connecting Arrah and Chhapra
• Rail-cum-road bridge over river Ganga between Digha and Sonpur
• Bishunpur bridge between Bettiah and Gopalganj over river Gandak
• Bridge between Gandaul and Biraul, bridge between Gaya and Manpur on river Phalgu

Indo-Nepal Border Road Project

• Bihar has a well-developed transport system, comprising roadways, railways, waterways, and airways. The transport sector plays a crucial role in the socio-economic development of the state.
• The government is continuously working to improve and expand the transport infrastructure to facilitate better connectivity and promote economic growth.

Road Transport in Bihar

National Highways

• Bihar has a total of 3,705 km of National Highways, accounting for 5% of the total length in India.
• The state ranks 6th in India for the length of National Highways.
• National Highways make up 5.53% of the total road network in Bihar.

State Highways

• Bihar has 5,690 km of State Highways, which is 3.91% of the total length in India.
• The state ranks 8th in India for the length of State Highways.
• State Highways constitute 8.54% of the total road network in Bihar.

District Roads

• Bihar has 24,120 km of District Roads, accounting for 6.63% of the total length in India.
• The state ranks 6th in India for the length of District Roads.

Rural Roads

• The state has 23,839 km of Rural Roads, which is 2.47% of the total length in India.
• Bihar ranks 18th in India for the length of Rural Roads.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

• The state has constructed 6,488 km of roads under the PMGSY, accounting for 12.11% of the total length in India.

Road Density

• Bihar has a road density of 1,564 km per 1,000 sq km, which is higher than the national average of 1,042 km per 1,000 sq km.

Road Transport Development

• The government is continuously working to improve and expand the road transport infrastructure in Bihar.
• Major projects include the construction of new National Highways, State Highways, and District Roads, as well as the improvement of existing roads.

Rural Connectivity

• The government is focused on improving rural connectivity by constructing new roads and upgrading existing ones in rural areas.
• This will help in better access to markets, healthcare, and education for rural residents.

Economic Impact

• The development of road transport infrastructure is expected to have a positive impact on the economy of Bihar by facilitating better connectivity and promoting economic activities.
• Improved road connectivity will also attract investments and create job opportunities in the state.

Border Road Project

• Joint Venture: The Border Road Project is a collaboration between the Central and State Governments.
• Length and Purpose: It involves the construction of approximately 552 km of State Highways with two lanes in the border areas of Bihar, which shares an international border with Nepal.
• Objectives: The project aims to enhance communication for local residents and facilitate patrolling by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the porous border.
• Cost Sharing: The Central Government is contributing 33.67% of the total project cost, while the State Government is covering 66.33%.
• Economic Benefits: The proposed roads will pass through extensive agricultural zones, benefiting the rural economy by improving connectivity to urban centers for employment and marketing of produce.
• Route Details: The road will start from the Uttar Pradesh border (Gibarahia-Madanpur) and end at West Bengal (Gagalia), traversing parallel to the international border with Nepal through seven districts in Bihar: West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, and Kishanganj.

Inter-State Transport

• Agreements for Inter-State Transport: The Bihar State Government has established several agreements with neighboring states to facilitate inter-state road transportation.
• Number of Routes: The agreements include 200 routes with Jharkhand, 45 routes with West Bengal, 34 routes with Uttar Pradesh, 28 routes with Chhattisgarh, and 7 routes with Odisha.
• Purpose: These agreements aim to provide convenience to passengers and promote socio-cultural and economic development by connecting backward regions with towns and markets within the state and other states.

Rail Transport in Bihar

Historical Background

• The development of railways in Bihar began in 1860 when the East India Company established a rail route along the Ganga river to Kolkata.
• This route connected several important places in Bihar, including Rajmahal, Bhagalpur, Munger, Patna, Arrah, Buxar, and Mughalsarai.
• The first railway line in Bihar, Hawrah-Mughalsarai (now Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay) Railway line, was established during this period.

Current Scenario

• According to the Economic Survey 2018-19, Bihar has a total rail route length of 3,731 km and a total rail track length of 6,870 km, which is 5.6% of the national average.
• The density of rail routes in Bihar is 39.6 km per 1,000 sq km, higher than the national average of 20.3 km.
• However, in terms of Rail Route Per Lakh Populations, Bihar ranks at the bottom with 4.9 km, compared to neighboring states like Jharkhand, which has 11.7 km.
• Bihar ranks 8th in India for rail transport. The state is home to India’s second-longest railway bridge, Nehru Setu or Dehri-on-Son (3,059 m), constructed across the Sone river.

Jamalpur Locomotive Workshop

• Asia’s largest and oldest locomotive workshop is located in Jamalpur, Munger district, Bihar. It was established on February 8, 1862, by the East India Company.
• The workshop produced its first locomotive, named CA - 764 Lady Curzon, in 1899.

Railway Factories in Bihar

• Bihar has several factories associated with railways, including:
• Baghi Complex in Dalmianagar
• Diesel Electric Locomotive Factory in Marhaura (Saran)
• Bela Rail Wheel Plant in Saran
• Electric Locomotive Factory in Madhepura

Railway Zones

• The East-Central Railway Zone, established in 1996 and functional since 2002, is the major railway zone in Bihar. Its headquarters is located in Hajipur, Vaishali district.
• There are five railway divisions under this zone:
• Sonpur Railway Division
• Danapur Railway Division
• Samastipur Railway Division
• Dhanbad Railway Division
• Mugalsarai Railway Division

Railway Division in Bihar

• Katihar Railway Division is part of the North-Eastern Frontier Railway, with its headquarters in Guwahati, Assam.
• Bihar has four railway divisions:
• Sonpur Railway Division : Established on October 21, 1970, under the North Eastern Railway (NER) Zone and later under the East-Central Railway Zone. Major A-1 and A category stations include Hajipur, Barauni, Muzaffarpur, and Khagaria.
• Danapur Railway Division : Established in 1925, it was part of the East Indian Railway Company until 1952. Now under the East-Central Railway Zone since October 1, 2002. Key stations are Arrah, Patna, and Mokama.
• Samastipur Railway Division : Set up in 1969, with headquarters in Samastipur. Major stations include Samastipur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, and Saharsa.
• Katihar Railway Division : Established on January 15, 1958, under the North-Eastern Frontier Railway Zone. Important stations include Katihar, Kishanganj, and Purnea.

Indian Railway Zones in Bihar :

• North-Eastern Railway (Headquarters: Gorakhpur)
• Eastern Railway (Headquarters: Kolkata)
• South-Eastern Railway (Headquarters: Kolkata)
• North-Eastern Frontier Railway (Headquarters: Guwahati)
• East-Central Railway (Headquarters: Hajipur)

Patna Metro Rail Project

• Rapid transit system owned and operated by Patna Metro Rail Corporation.
• Approved by Bihar Cabinet on September 25, 2018, and by the Central Government on November 20, 2018.
• Foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 17, 2019.
• Expected to operate two corridors by 2024.

Air Transport in Bihar

Air transport is the fastest mode of transport, although it is also the most expensive. Air service in Bihar began in 1860.

• Jai Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna offers flights to various domestic and international destinations, including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Pune, Raipur, Chennai, Jaipur, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Kathmandu, Delhi, and Kolkata.
• Gaya International Airport in Bodhgaya provides international flights to Sri Lanka and Bangkok. It was granted international status on November 12, 2002, with the arrival of a Sri Lanka Airlines flight.
• Other airports in Bihar include Raxaul, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Araria, Purnea, and Bihta. Bihta Air Force Station is located in Bihta, near Patna.

Important Airports in Bihar

Water Transport in Bihar

• Waterways offer an economical and eco-friendly mode of transport, particularly suitable for bulky goods. This mode of transport is facilitated through seas, navigable rivers, and canals.
• In Bihar, National Waterway No.-1, which spans from Allahabad to Haldia, plays a crucial role in water transport. Established in 1986, this waterway is approximately 1620 km long. The permanent terminal for this waterway is located in Patna, while a floating terminal is situated in Bhagalpur. Additionally, a regional office has been set up in Gay Ghat, Patna.
• To enhance cargo handling, a Cargo complex has been established on the banks of the Ganga River near Gulabighat. This development has made approximately 2,500 km of the Ganga River navigable, connecting Kolkata-Farakka to Patna-Allahabad.
• The Ministry of Shipping initiated inter-state water transport in Patna, promoting the use of navigable rivers such as the Kosi, Gandak, Ghaghra, and Son in Bihar.
• The State Government operates two specific waterways: Barari Ghat-Mahadevpur Ghat, which provides a railway steamer service for Bhagalpur, and Mokama-Barauni, offering steamer services. The Arrah Canal, originating from the Western Son Canal in South Bihar, is navigable for small and medium-sized boats. Approximately 83 km of this canal is suitable for steamers. To ensure year-round navigability, the Anicut Barrage has been constructed near Dehri as part of the Sone Barrage Project.
• To enhance safety and prevent boating accidents, the Shipping Rules, 2011 were implemented by the government. These rules mandate the registration of all ships and steamers in the State of Bihar.

Note: A ropeway has been constructed in Rajgir, Bihar, as a unique mode of transport within the state.

National Waterways in Bihar

Important Rail/Road Bridges over Rivers in Bihar