Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has conducted an inspection of the ongoing construction of the Patna-Gaya-Dobhi four-lane highway, urging officials to expedite the project's completion. Once finished, this highway will allow commuters to travel between Patna and Gaya in just two hours, significantly reducing travel time.

During his visit, the Chief Minister stopped near the Basuhar bridge in Punpun to assess the progress of various infrastructure projects. He was accompanied by key officials, including Minister-in-Charge Ashok Chaudhary and Principal Secretary of Road Construction Pratyaya Amrit. Ghulam Qadir, Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), reported that the Chief Minister has instructed to open one lane of the railway overbridge by September 30, with the entire project expected to be operational by December.

The highway project, initiated in 2010, has faced significant delays but is now nearing completion. Stretching 39 km in Patna district, 44 km in Jehanabad district, and 44.22 km in Gaya district, it connects to the Grand Trunk (GT) Road near Dobhi. Originally estimated to cost over Rs 1,600 crore, the project's costs have escalated to over Rs 5,000 crore due to various challenges, including construction agency withdrawals and land acquisition issues.

With over 90% of the work now complete, the highway is anticipated to alleviate traffic congestion, particularly by linking to the Patna bypass. It will also facilitate easier access for pilgrims traveling to Gaya, enhancing regional connectivity and development. The construction has gained momentum following the Patna High Court's involvement in monitoring progress.