Expedite central, state projects: Patna DM

Patna: District magistrate (DM) Thiyagarajan S M on Tuesday directed officials and executing agencies to expedite the implementation of over 30 state and central projects.Chairing a project monitoring group meeting, the DM told sub-divisional officers (SDO) to resolve local disruptions and ensure time-bound completion of public works.The administration is currently overseeing projects of the NHAI, Patna metro, railways, and the bridge construction corporation. The DM said that land acquisition and transfer issues have been largely resolved. He ordered the district land acquisition officer to organise village-level camps to accelerate compensation payments to affected landholders.The Patna metro priority corridor from Pataliputra bus terminal to Malahi Pakri is reporting steady progress.

Officials confirmed that no land acquisition matters remain pending for the Metro project at the district level. Sub-divisional authorities were instructed to provide necessary administrative support to the Patna Metro Rail Corporation to maintain construction momentum.The officials said work is also advancing on the Danapur-Bihta elevated corridor. Rs188.06 crore has been disbursed to 959 landholders across 22 villages, they said.

The DM asked the Danapur SDO and traffic SP to coordinate on-site requirements and traffic management to avoid delays.For NH-119A Patna-Ara-Sasaram section, Rs 149.76 crore has been sanctioned for compensation. For the Patna Ring Road Kanhouli-Sherpur section, camps were held in Bihta and Maner during Feb to collect compensation applications. On the NH-119D Ramnagar-Kacchi Dargah section, Rs10.67 crore has been paid to 55 landholders via the Bhoomi Rashi portal.The DM ordered circle officers to remove encroachments along project alignments immediately. He instructed the traffic SP to build diversion plans where construction impacts vehicle movement. Executing agencies were told to strictly adhere to standard operating procedures regarding safety and environmental standards at all construction sites.The deputy development commissioner and additional district magistrates were tasked with conducting joint site inspections to monitor quality. The meeting concluded with a directive to align all ongoing projects with the commitments made during the chief minister’s recent progress tour. Personnel from NTPC, IOCL, GAIL, and various engineering departments attended the meeting.