The three-kilometer road stretch connecting SM College to Mirjanhat Sheetala Sthan Chowk in Bhagalpur will no longer receive regular maintenance. Officials from the Road Construction Department (RCD) have confirmed the suspension of its OPRMC (Output and Performance-based Road Maintenance Contract) scheme coverage. This decision comes as the construction of the Bholanath Flyover accelerates along the same route, making large-scale maintenance unfeasible.
Why Was Maintenance Suspended?
The Road Construction Department, Bhagalpur, officially removed the 3-kilometer SM College-Mirjanhat road from its Output and Performance-based Road Maintenance Contract scheme. This critical decision was made primarily because of the ongoing and rapid construction of the Bholanath Flyover. Authorities determined that it was not practical or cost-effective to conduct extensive road maintenance while heavy machinery and construction activities for the flyover were in full swing on the same stretch. This road was originally part of the OPRMC Phase-II policy, which began on March 1, 2019, for a seven-year period, meaning it was scheduled for professional maintenance until 2026.
What is the Current Status and Future Plan?
As of February 11-12, 2026, the RCD Bhagalpur has confirmed the suspension of standard maintenance contracts for this road. Until the Bholanath Flyover project is completed, the road will only receive “Basic Departmental Work.” This means only emergency repairs and patchwork will be carried out, rather than comprehensive, performance-based maintenance. The Bholanath Flyover project is estimated to cost ₹117.89 crore for construction, with an additional ₹50 crore allocated for land acquisition. The RCD has stated that the road will be re-included in the full maintenance plan once the flyover project reaches its completion.
The flyover’s construction deadline has been extended by one year due to previous railway-related delays. Work on the 8 central pillars, overseen by Eastern Railway (Malda Division) after issuing a No Objection Certificate, is now the immediate priority. Four small piling machines from Rajasthan recently arrived to accelerate work in narrow sections of the road.
Public Impact and Key Entities Involved
The suspension of regular maintenance for over a year has led to significant dilapidation of the 3-kilometer stretch. Residents of Ishakchak and Laluchak are reportedly facing extreme difficulties due to the poor road conditions. The primary authority managing the road maintenance policy is the RCD, Bhagalpur. The Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL) is the agency responsible for the construction of the Bholanath Flyover. The District Administration, led by the District Magistrate, formed a five-member committee in late December 2025 to manage land acquisition and compensation for the flyover project.