The condition of the bypass in Bhagalpur, Bihar, constructed at a cost of ₹200 crore, has deteriorated significantly. Connecting Nathnagar to Zero Mile, this bypass experiences continuous traffic. However, the administration appears to have neglected its maintenance. Despite this, the government collects approximately ₹6.5 to ₹7 lakhs daily in toll tax from this road.
The road’s poor condition causes frequent damage to vehicles. About half of the 16-kilometer bypass is in a dilapidated state, with large potholes forming across its surface. Consequently, vehicles are damaged, leading to traffic jams.
Approximately 25,000 vehicles pass through this route daily. Despite this, the government has not addressed the deteriorating road. The bypass was built in 2019 by a Rajasthan-based company. From 2019 to 2021, toll collection was managed by companies from Bihar and Delhi.
Subsequently, an MP-based company collected tolls from August 2021 to August 2022. Following this, companies from Nagpur and Rajasthan managed toll collection. However, the road’s condition was overlooked. In 2024, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that toll collection should be halted on poorly maintained roads. Despite this, neither toll exemptions nor road repairs were implemented.
People have expressed their displeasure, stating that the road’s condition leads to daily accidents, yet the administration remains unresponsive. This situation becomes particularly dangerous during rainfall when potholes fill with water, making it difficult to gauge their depth, thereby increasing the risk of accidents. People have voiced their dissatisfaction with the administration’s inaction and have appealed to the government to resolve the issue to prevent future incidents.
